diff --git a/fs/xfs/scrub/nlinks_repair.c b/fs/xfs/scrub/nlinks_repair.c
index b87618322f55..58cacb8e94c1 100644
--- a/fs/xfs/scrub/nlinks_repair.c
+++ b/fs/xfs/scrub/nlinks_repair.c
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include "xfs_iwalk.h"
 #include "xfs_ialloc.h"
 #include "xfs_sb.h"
+#include "xfs_ag.h"
 #include "scrub/scrub.h"
 #include "scrub/common.h"
 #include "scrub/repair.h"
@@ -36,6 +37,20 @@
  * inode is locked.
  */
 
+/* Remove an inode from the unlinked list. */
+STATIC int
+xrep_nlinks_iunlink_remove(
+	struct xfs_scrub	*sc)
+{
+	struct xfs_perag	*pag;
+	int			error;
+
+	pag = xfs_perag_get(sc->mp, XFS_INO_TO_AGNO(sc->mp, sc->ip->i_ino));
+	error = xfs_iunlink_remove(sc->tp, pag, sc->ip);
+	xfs_perag_put(pag);
+	return error;
+}
+
 /*
  * Correct the link count of the given inode.  Because we have to grab locks
  * and resources in a certain order, it's possible that this will be a no-op.
@@ -99,16 +114,25 @@ xrep_nlinks_repair_inode(
 	}
 
 	/*
-	 * We did not find any links to this inode.  If the inode agrees, we
-	 * have nothing further to do.  If not, the inode has a nonzero link
-	 * count and we don't have anywhere to graft the child onto.  Dropping
-	 * a live inode's link count to zero can cause unexpected shutdowns in
-	 * inactivation, so leave it alone.
+	 * If this inode is linked from the directory tree and on the unlinked
+	 * list, remove it from the unlinked list.
 	 */
-	if (total_links == 0) {
-		if (actual_nlink != 0)
-			trace_xrep_nlinks_unfixable_inode(mp, ip, &obs);
-		goto out_trans;
+	if (total_links > 0 && xfs_inode_on_unlinked_list(ip)) {
+		error = xrep_nlinks_iunlink_remove(sc);
+		if (error)
+			goto out_trans;
+		dirty = true;
+	}
+
+	/*
+	 * If this inode is not linked from the directory tree yet not on the
+	 * unlinked list, put it on the unlinked list.
+	 */
+	if (total_links == 0 && !xfs_inode_on_unlinked_list(ip)) {
+		error = xfs_iunlink(sc->tp, ip);
+		if (error)
+			goto out_trans;
+		dirty = true;
 	}
 
 	/* Commit the new link count if it changed. */