diff --git a/src/emu/schedule.c b/src/emu/schedule.c
index aa211a13f6e..82258c1b093 100644
--- a/src/emu/schedule.c
+++ b/src/emu/schedule.c
@@ -251,7 +251,10 @@ attotime emu_timer::elapsed() const
 
 attotime emu_timer::remaining() const
 {
-	return m_expire - machine().time();
+	attotime curtime = machine().time();
+	if (curtime >= m_expire)
+		return attotime::zero;
+	return m_expire - curtime;
 }