diff --git a/cpu/mc1322x/rtimer-arch.c b/cpu/mc1322x/rtimer-arch.c
index 0cbff6b15..f85fb15a2 100644
--- a/cpu/mc1322x/rtimer-arch.c
+++ b/cpu/mc1322x/rtimer-arch.c
@@ -77,11 +77,19 @@ rtimer_arch_schedule(rtimer_clock_t t)
 	volatile uint32_t now;
 	now = rtimer_arch_now();
 	PRINTF("rtimer_arch_schedule time %u; now is %u\n", t,now);
+
+#if 1
+/* If specified time is always in the future, counter can wrap without harm */
+	*CRM_RTC_TIMEOUT = t - now;
+#else
+/* Immediate interrupt if specified time is before current time. This may also
+   happen on counter overflow. */
 	if(now>t) {
 		*CRM_RTC_TIMEOUT = 1;
 	} else {
 		*CRM_RTC_TIMEOUT = t - now;
 	}
+#endif
 
 	clear_rtc_wu_evt();
 	enable_rtc_wu();