Packet processing pipelines may implement filtering of control plane decisions. When network packets are received various types of decision-making and processing is performed. In order to complete processing for the network packet, some decisions may need to be determined by a control plane for the packet processing pipeline, such as a general processor. Requests for control plane decisions for received network packets may be filtered prior to sending the requests to the control plane based on whether the same control plane decisions have been requested for previously received network packets. For control plane decisions with outstanding control plane decision requests, an additional control plane decision request for the network packet may be blocked, whereas control plane decisions with no outstanding control plane decision requests may be allowed.