diff --git a/arch/x86/kvm/i8254.c b/arch/x86/kvm/i8254.c
index 08116ff227cc..b0ea42b78ccd 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kvm/i8254.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kvm/i8254.c
@@ -420,6 +420,7 @@ void kvm_pit_load_count(struct kvm *kvm, int channel, u32 val, int hpet_legacy_s
 	u8 saved_mode;
 	if (hpet_legacy_start) {
 		/* save existing mode for later reenablement */
+		WARN_ON(channel != 0);
 		saved_mode = kvm->arch.vpit->pit_state.channels[0].mode;
 		kvm->arch.vpit->pit_state.channels[0].mode = 0xff; /* disable timer */
 		pit_load_count(kvm, channel, val);
diff --git a/arch/x86/kvm/x86.c b/arch/x86/kvm/x86.c
index 7ffc224bbe41..97592e190413 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kvm/x86.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kvm/x86.c
@@ -3606,7 +3606,8 @@ static int kvm_vm_ioctl_set_pit2(struct kvm *kvm, struct kvm_pit_state2 *ps)
 	       sizeof(kvm->arch.vpit->pit_state.channels));
 	kvm->arch.vpit->pit_state.flags = ps->flags;
 	for (i = 0; i < 3; i++)
-		kvm_pit_load_count(kvm, i, kvm->arch.vpit->pit_state.channels[i].count, start);
+		kvm_pit_load_count(kvm, i, kvm->arch.vpit->pit_state.channels[i].count,
+				   start && i == 0);
 	mutex_unlock(&kvm->arch.vpit->pit_state.lock);
 	return 0;
 }