diff --git a/module/zfs/zio.c b/module/zfs/zio.c
index 2ae42e2df..9ae245866 100644
--- a/module/zfs/zio.c
+++ b/module/zfs/zio.c
@@ -724,7 +724,9 @@ zio_notify_parent(zio_t *pio, zio_t *zio, enum zio_wait_type wait,
 
 		/*
 		 * If we can tell the caller to execute this parent next, do
-		 * so.  Otherwise dispatch the parent zio as its own task.
+		 * so. We only do this if the parent's zio type matches the
+		 * child's type. Otherwise dispatch the parent zio in its
+		 * own taskq.
 		 *
 		 * Having the caller execute the parent when possible reduces
 		 * locking on the zio taskq's, reduces context switch
@@ -743,7 +745,8 @@ zio_notify_parent(zio_t *pio, zio_t *zio, enum zio_wait_type wait,
 		 * parent-child relationships, as we do with the "mega zio"
 		 * of writes for spa_sync(), and the chain of ZIL blocks.
 		 */
-		if (next_to_executep != NULL && *next_to_executep == NULL) {
+		if (next_to_executep != NULL && *next_to_executep == NULL &&
+		    pio->io_type == zio->io_type) {
 			*next_to_executep = pio;
 		} else {
 			zio_taskq_dispatch(pio, type, B_FALSE);