diff --git a/drivers/platform/msm/ipa/ipa_v3/ipa_dp.c b/drivers/platform/msm/ipa/ipa_v3/ipa_dp.c
index 6a3a89e2cf8d..5fe425ea7655 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/msm/ipa/ipa_v3/ipa_dp.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/msm/ipa/ipa_v3/ipa_dp.c
@@ -1188,6 +1188,15 @@ static void ipa3_handle_rx(struct ipa3_sys_context *sys)
 		} else {
 			inactive_cycles = 0;
 		}
+
+		/*
+		 * if pipe is out of buffers there is no point polling for
+		 * completed descs; release the worker so delayed work can
+		 * run in a timely manner
+		 */
+		if (sys->len == 0)
+			break;
+
 	} while (inactive_cycles <= POLLING_INACTIVITY_RX);
 
 	trace_poll_to_intr3(sys->ep->client);