diff --git a/arch/mips/mti-malta/malta-time.c b/arch/mips/mti-malta/malta-time.c
index 7d4b865715645ed4dc0085f17715114b4c26f4fc..185e68261f45937eae2b17dcd502420ce0121f69 100644
--- a/arch/mips/mti-malta/malta-time.c
+++ b/arch/mips/mti-malta/malta-time.c
@@ -87,8 +87,10 @@ static void __init estimate_frequencies(void)
 
 	/* Initialize counters. */
 	start = read_c0_count();
-	if (gic_present)
+	if (gic_present) {
+		gic_start_count();
 		gicstart = gic_read_count();
+	}
 
 	/* Read counter exactly on falling edge of update flag. */
 	while (CMOS_READ(RTC_REG_A) & RTC_UIP);