diff --git a/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c b/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c
index f7c65adaa428..557e128e4df0 100644
--- a/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c
+++ b/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c
@@ -116,8 +116,14 @@ int armpmu_event_set_period(struct perf_event *event)
 		ret = 1;
 	}
 
-	if (left > (s64)armpmu->max_period)
-		left = armpmu->max_period;
+	/*
+	 * Limit the maximum period to prevent the counter value
+	 * from overtaking the one we are about to program. In
+	 * effect we are reducing max_period to account for
+	 * interrupt latency (and we are being very conservative).
+	 */
+	if (left > (armpmu->max_period >> 1))
+		left = armpmu->max_period >> 1;
 
 	local64_set(&hwc->prev_count, (u64)-left);