diff --git a/block/bfq-iosched.c b/block/bfq-iosched.c
index 83adac3e71db..ffaa0d56328a 100644
--- a/block/bfq-iosched.c
+++ b/block/bfq-iosched.c
@@ -2911,8 +2911,12 @@ bfq_setup_cooperator(struct bfq_data *bfqd, struct bfq_queue *bfqq,
 	struct bfq_iocq_bfqq_data *bfqq_data = &bic->bfqq_data[a_idx];
 
 	/* if a merge has already been setup, then proceed with that first */
-	if (bfqq->new_bfqq)
-		return bfqq->new_bfqq;
+	new_bfqq = bfqq->new_bfqq;
+	if (new_bfqq) {
+		while (new_bfqq->new_bfqq)
+			new_bfqq = new_bfqq->new_bfqq;
+		return new_bfqq;
+	}
 
 	/*
 	 * Check delayed stable merge for rotational or non-queueing