diff --git a/hw/cxl/cxl-mailbox-utils.c b/hw/cxl/cxl-mailbox-utils.c
index 6eff56fb1b..dc42850767 100644
--- a/hw/cxl/cxl-mailbox-utils.c
+++ b/hw/cxl/cxl-mailbox-utils.c
@@ -1001,15 +1001,8 @@ static CXLRetCode cmd_sanitize_overwrite(const struct cxl_cmd *cmd,
 
     cxl_dev_disable_media(&ct3d->cxl_dstate);
 
-    if (secs > 2) {
-        /* sanitize when done */
-        return CXL_MBOX_BG_STARTED;
-    } else {
-        __do_sanitization(ct3d);
-        cxl_dev_enable_media(&ct3d->cxl_dstate);
-
-        return CXL_MBOX_SUCCESS;
-    }
+    /* sanitize when done */
+    return CXL_MBOX_BG_STARTED;
 }
 
 static CXLRetCode cmd_get_security_state(const struct cxl_cmd *cmd,
@@ -1387,27 +1380,21 @@ static void bg_timercb(void *opaque)
 
         cci->bg.complete_pct = 100;
         cci->bg.ret_code = ret;
-        if (ret == CXL_MBOX_SUCCESS) {
-            switch (cci->bg.opcode) {
-            case 0x4400: /* sanitize */
-            {
-                CXLType3Dev *ct3d = CXL_TYPE3(cci->d);
+        switch (cci->bg.opcode) {
+        case 0x4400: /* sanitize */
+        {
+            CXLType3Dev *ct3d = CXL_TYPE3(cci->d);
 
-                __do_sanitization(ct3d);
-                cxl_dev_enable_media(&ct3d->cxl_dstate);
-            }
-            break;
-            case 0x4304: /* TODO: scan media */
-                break;
-            default:
-                __builtin_unreachable();
-                break;
-            }
+            __do_sanitization(ct3d);
+            cxl_dev_enable_media(&ct3d->cxl_dstate);
+        }
+        break;
+        case 0x4304: /* TODO: scan media */
+            break;
+        default:
+            __builtin_unreachable();
+            break;
         }
-
-        qemu_log("Background command %04xh finished: %s\n",
-                 cci->bg.opcode,
-                 ret == CXL_MBOX_SUCCESS ? "success" : "aborted");
     } else {
         /* estimate only */
         cci->bg.complete_pct = 100 * now / total_time;