diff --git a/src/switch_time.c b/src/switch_time.c
index d20f9a293e..8897b1007b 100644
--- a/src/switch_time.c
+++ b/src/switch_time.c
@@ -324,7 +324,12 @@ static switch_status_t timer_next(switch_timer_t *timer)
 #else
 	int cond_index = 1;
 #endif
+	int delta = (int)(private_info->reference - TIMER_MATRIX[timer->interval].tick);
 
+	/* sync up timer if it's not been called for a while otherwise it will return instantly several times until it catches up */
+	if (delta < 0) { 
+		private_info->reference = timer->tick = TIMER_MATRIX[timer->interval].tick;
+	}
 	timer_step(timer);
 
 	while (globals.RUNNING == 1 && private_info->ready && TIMER_MATRIX[timer->interval].tick < private_info->reference) {