diff --git a/tests/qtest/npcm7xx_timer-test.c b/tests/qtest/npcm7xx_timer-test.c
index 43711049ca..58f58c2f71 100644
--- a/tests/qtest/npcm7xx_timer-test.c
+++ b/tests/qtest/npcm7xx_timer-test.c
@@ -465,6 +465,7 @@ static void test_periodic_interrupt(gconstpointer test_data)
     int i;
 
     tim_reset(td);
+    clock_step_next();
 
     tim_write_ticr(td, count);
     tim_write_tcsr(td, CEN | IE | MODE_PERIODIC | PRESCALE(ps));