diff --git a/fs/xfs/scrub/repair.c b/fs/xfs/scrub/repair.c
index 745d5b8f405a..30bc8165d7bb 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/scrub/repair.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/scrub/repair.c
@@ -1089,9 +1089,11 @@ xrep_metadata_inode_forks(
 		return error;
 
 	/* Make sure the attr fork looks ok before we delete it. */
-	error = xrep_metadata_inode_subtype(sc, XFS_SCRUB_TYPE_BMBTA);
-	if (error)
-		return error;
+	if (xfs_inode_hasattr(sc->ip)) {
+		error = xrep_metadata_inode_subtype(sc, XFS_SCRUB_TYPE_BMBTA);
+		if (error)
+			return error;
+	}
 
 	/* Clear the reflink flag since metadata never shares. */
 	if (xfs_is_reflink_inode(sc->ip)) {