diff --git a/src/sound/snd_opl_ymfm.cpp b/src/sound/snd_opl_ymfm.cpp
index 6acbf79f3..28ea7a621 100644
--- a/src/sound/snd_opl_ymfm.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/snd_opl_ymfm.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include "ymfm/ymfm_opl.h"
 
 extern "C" {
+#include <86box/86box.h>
 #include <86box/timer.h>
 #include <86box/device.h>
 #include <86box/sound.h>
@@ -81,6 +82,9 @@ public:
         memset(m_oldsamples, 0, sizeof(m_oldsamples));
         m_rateratio = (samplerate << RSM_FRAC) / m_chip.sample_rate(m_clock);
         m_clock_us  = 1000000 / (double) m_clock;
+        m_subtract[0] = 80.0;
+        m_subtract[1] = 320.0;
+        m_type = type;
 
         timer_add(&m_timers[0], YMFMChip::timer1, this, 0);
         timer_add(&m_timers[1], YMFMChip::timer2, this, 0);
@@ -97,11 +101,14 @@ public:
             return;
 
         pc_timer_t *timer = &m_timers[tnum];
-        if (duration_in_clocks < 0) {
+        if (duration_in_clocks < 0)
             timer_stop(timer);
-        } else {
+        else {
             double period = m_clock_us * duration_in_clocks;
-            timer_on_auto(timer, period);
+            if (period < m_subtract[tnum])
+                m_engine->engine_timer_expired(tnum);
+            else
+                timer_on_auto(timer, period);
         }
     }
 
@@ -172,6 +179,11 @@ virtual void generate_resampled(int32_t *data, uint32_t num_samples) override
         return m_chip.read(addr);
     }
 
+    virtual uint32_t get_special_flags(void) override
+    {
+        return ((m_type == FM_YMF262) || (m_type == FM_YMF289B)) ? 0x8000 : 0x0000;
+    }
+
     static void timer1(void *priv)
     {
         YMFMChip<ChipType> *drv = (YMFMChip<ChipType> *) priv;
@@ -187,7 +199,7 @@ virtual void generate_resampled(int32_t *data, uint32_t num_samples) override
 private:
     ChipType   m_chip;
     uint32_t   m_clock;
-    double     m_clock_us;
+    double     m_clock_us, m_subtract[2];
     typename ChipType::output_data m_output;
     pc_timer_t m_timers[2];
 
diff --git a/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm.h b/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm.h
index d9c3bca3b..ae13faedd 100644
--- a/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm.h
+++ b/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm.h
@@ -543,6 +543,8 @@ public:
 	// noted busy end time and return true if we haven't yet passed it
 	virtual bool ymfm_is_busy() { return false; }
 
+	virtual uint32_t get_special_flags(void) { return 0x0000; }
+
 	//
 	// I/O functions
 	//
diff --git a/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm_fm.ipp b/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm_fm.ipp
index 17bbc9150..7e5109d59 100644
--- a/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm_fm.ipp
+++ b/src/sound/ymfm/ymfm_fm.ipp
@@ -1472,11 +1472,14 @@ void fm_engine_base<RegisterType>::assign_operators()
 template<class RegisterType>
 void fm_engine_base<RegisterType>::update_timer(uint32_t tnum, uint32_t enable, int32_t delta_clocks)
 {
+	uint32_t subtract = !!(tnum >> 15);
+	tnum &= 0x7fff;
+
 	// if the timer is live, but not currently enabled, set the timer
 	if (enable && !m_timer_running[tnum])
 	{
 		// period comes from the registers, and is different for each
-		uint32_t period = (tnum == 0) ? (1024 - m_regs.timer_a_value()) : 16 * (256 - m_regs.timer_b_value());
+		uint32_t period = (tnum == 0) ? (1024 - subtract - m_regs.timer_a_value()) : 16 * (256 - subtract - m_regs.timer_b_value());
 
 		// caller can also specify a delta to account for other effects
 		period += delta_clocks;
@@ -1581,8 +1584,11 @@ void fm_engine_base<RegisterType>::engine_mode_write(uint8_t data)
 		// load timers; note that timer B gets a small negative adjustment because
 		// the *16 multiplier is free-running, so the first tick of the clock
 		// is a bit shorter
-		update_timer(1, m_regs.load_timer_b(), -(m_total_clocks & 15));
-		update_timer(0, m_regs.load_timer_a(), 0);
+		// OPL3 begins counting immediately instead of after the first period is over.
+		// We use bit 15 of the timer number on those chips to inform that this was a
+		// control register write, and to therefore, subtract 1 counting cycle.
+		update_timer(1 | m_intf.get_special_flags(), m_regs.load_timer_b(), -(m_total_clocks & 15));
+		update_timer(0 | m_intf.get_special_flags(), m_regs.load_timer_a(), 0);
 	}
 }