diff --git a/sys/arm/arm/generic_timer.c b/sys/arm/arm/generic_timer.c
--- a/sys/arm/arm/generic_timer.c
+++ b/sys/arm/arm/generic_timer.c
@@ -153,6 +153,8 @@
 	},
 };
 
+static uint64_t get_cntxct(bool);
+
 static int arm_tmr_attach(device_t);
 
 static uint32_t arm_tmr_fill_vdso_timehands(struct vdso_timehands *vdso_th,
@@ -199,18 +201,9 @@
 {
 	uint64_t val;
 
-	if (physical) {
-		do {
-			val = get_el0(cntpct);
-		}
-		while (((val + 1) & 0x7FF) <= 1);
-	}
-	else {
-		do {
-			val = get_el0(cntvct);
-		}
-		while (((val + 1) & 0x7FF) <= 1);
-	}
+	do {
+		val = get_cntxct(physical);
+	} while (((val + 1) & 0x7FF) <= 1);
 
 	return (val);
 }