diff --git a/drivers/timer/mtk_timer.c b/drivers/timer/mtk_timer.c
index 448a76a7e1..f6b97f868c 100644
--- a/drivers/timer/mtk_timer.c
+++ b/drivers/timer/mtk_timer.c
@@ -61,6 +61,16 @@ static int mtk_timer_probe(struct udevice *dev)
 	if (!uc_priv->clock_rate)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
+	/*
+	 * Initialize the timer:
+	 * 1. set clock source to system clock with clock divider setting to 1
+	 * 2. set timer mode to free running
+	 * 3. reset timer counter to 0 then enable the timer
+	 */
+	writel(GPT4_CLK_SYS | GPT4_CLK_DIV1, priv->base + MTK_GPT4_CLK);
+	writel(GPT4_FREERUN | GPT4_CLEAR | GPT4_ENABLE,
+	       priv->base + MTK_GPT4_CTRL);
+
 	return 0;
 }