diff --git a/drivers/timer/arcv2_timer0.c b/drivers/timer/arcv2_timer0.c
index 0e74e9e20c1..82cd29485d2 100644
--- a/drivers/timer/arcv2_timer0.c
+++ b/drivers/timer/arcv2_timer0.c
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ void _timer_idle_enter(int32_t ticks)
 	}
 
 	programmed_ticks = ticks;
-	programmed_limit = (programmed_ticks * cycles_per_tick);
+	programmed_limit = (programmed_ticks * cycles_per_tick) - 1;
 
 	timer0_limit_register_set(programmed_limit);