diff --git a/cpu/atmega_common/periph/timer.c b/cpu/atmega_common/periph/timer.c
index 11e1bd0c1e..2b9084469b 100644
--- a/cpu/atmega_common/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/atmega_common/periph/timer.c
@@ -126,11 +126,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t tim, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    return timer_set_absolute(tim, channel, timer_read(tim) + timeout);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (channel >= CHANNELS) {
diff --git a/cpu/cc2538/periph/timer.c b/cpu/cc2538/periph/timer.c
index 1165172da1..61a64b442d 100644
--- a/cpu/cc2538/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/cc2538/periph/timer.c
@@ -150,38 +150,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    /* get timer base register address */
-    cc2538_gptimer_t *gptimer = timer_config[dev].dev;
-
-    if ( (dev >= TIMER_NUMOF) || (channel >= timer_config[dev].channels) ) {
-        return -1;
-    }
-
-    switch (channel) {
-        case 0:
-            /* clear any pending match interrupts */
-            gptimer->ICR = TAMIM;
-
-            /* set timeout value */
-            gptimer->TAMATCHR = (gptimer->CFG == GPTMCFG_32_BIT_TIMER)? (gptimer->TAV + timeout) : (gptimer->TAV - timeout);
-            gptimer->cc2538_gptimer_imr.IMR |= TAMIM; /**< Enable the Timer A Match Interrupt */
-            break;
-
-        case 1:
-            /* clear any pending match interrupts */
-            gptimer->ICR = TBMIM;
-
-            /* set timeout value */
-            gptimer->TBMATCHR = (gptimer->CFG == GPTMCFG_32_BIT_TIMER)? (gptimer->TBV + timeout) : (gptimer->TBV - timeout);
-            gptimer->cc2538_gptimer_imr.IMR |= TBMIM; /**< Enable the Timer B Match Interrupt */
-            break;
-    }
-
-    return 1;
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     DEBUG("%s(%u, %u, %u)\n", __FUNCTION__, dev, channel, value);
diff --git a/cpu/cc26x0/periph/timer.c b/cpu/cc26x0/periph/timer.c
index 68c38bd3a6..8d0bb8bbf6 100644
--- a/cpu/cc26x0/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/cc26x0/periph/timer.c
@@ -74,11 +74,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t tim, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    return timer_set_absolute(tim, channel, timer_read(tim) + timeout);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (channel != 0) {
diff --git a/cpu/cc430/periph/timer.c b/cpu/cc430/periph/timer.c
index fbabb508e1..1f0933a170 100644
--- a/cpu/cc430/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/cc430/periph/timer.c
@@ -67,12 +67,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    uint16_t target = TIMER_BASE->R + (uint16_t)timeout;
-    return timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, (unsigned int)target);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (dev != 0 || channel > TIMER_CHAN) {
diff --git a/cpu/ezr32wg/periph/timer.c b/cpu/ezr32wg/periph/timer.c
index 00715b3304..bcf1d3554b 100644
--- a/cpu/ezr32wg/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/ezr32wg/periph/timer.c
@@ -82,13 +82,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    unsigned int now = timer_read(dev);
-    timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, now + timeout);
-    return 0;
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     TIMER_TypeDef *tim;
diff --git a/cpu/kinetis_common/include/periph_cpu.h b/cpu/kinetis_common/include/periph_cpu.h
index d4ca43c4b9..345dc7201b 100644
--- a/cpu/kinetis_common/include/periph_cpu.h
+++ b/cpu/kinetis_common/include/periph_cpu.h
@@ -92,6 +92,11 @@ typedef uint16_t gpio_t;
 #define PERIPH_SPI_NEEDS_TRANSFER_REGS
 /** @} */
 
+/**
+ * @brief   Prevent shared timer functions from being used
+ */
+#define PERIPH_TIMER_PROVIDES_SET
+
 /**
  * @brief   define number of usable power modes
  */
diff --git a/cpu/lm4f120/periph/timer.c b/cpu/lm4f120/periph/timer.c
index 3938bad2da..070714eb43 100644
--- a/cpu/lm4f120/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/lm4f120/periph/timer.c
@@ -124,21 +124,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    unsigned int corrected_now;
-    int retval;
-
-    if (dev >= TIMER_NUMOF){
-        return -1;
-    }
-
-    corrected_now = timer_read(dev);
-    retval = timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, corrected_now+timeout);
-
-    return retval;
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     unsigned int timer_base;
diff --git a/cpu/lpc11u34/periph/timer.c b/cpu/lpc11u34/periph/timer.c
index 3ca4104ada..8a8ad7a7f6 100644
--- a/cpu/lpc11u34/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/lpc11u34/periph/timer.c
@@ -63,15 +63,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return -1;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    if (dev == TIMER_0) {
-        unsigned int now = timer_read(dev);
-        return timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, now + timeout);
-    }
-    return -1;
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (dev == TIMER_0) {
diff --git a/cpu/lpc1768/periph/timer.c b/cpu/lpc1768/periph/timer.c
index 87ddcd0bc3..afe0854498 100644
--- a/cpu/lpc1768/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/lpc1768/periph/timer.c
@@ -65,15 +65,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return -1;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    if (dev == TIMER_0) {
-        unsigned int now = timer_read(dev);
-        return timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, now + timeout);
-    }
-    return -1;
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (dev == TIMER_0) {
diff --git a/cpu/lpc2387/periph/timer.c b/cpu/lpc2387/periph/timer.c
index ad9d515c1a..2b56dc7bfe 100644
--- a/cpu/lpc2387/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/lpc2387/periph/timer.c
@@ -133,12 +133,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t tim, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    unsigned int now = timer_read(tim);
-    return timer_set_absolute(tim, channel, (timeout + now));
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (((unsigned) tim >= TIMER_NUMOF) || ((unsigned) channel >= TIMER_CHAN_NUMOF)) {
diff --git a/cpu/mips_pic32_common/include/periph_cpu_common.h b/cpu/mips_pic32_common/include/periph_cpu_common.h
index 2f838c8aec..e9cd0c4074 100644
--- a/cpu/mips_pic32_common/include/periph_cpu_common.h
+++ b/cpu/mips_pic32_common/include/periph_cpu_common.h
@@ -40,6 +40,11 @@ enum {
     PORT_G = 6,             /**< port G */
 };
 
+/**
+ * @brief   Prevent shared timer functions from being used
+ */
+#define PERIPH_TIMER_PROVIDES_SET
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/cpu/msp430fxyz/periph/timer.c b/cpu/msp430fxyz/periph/timer.c
index 18059d398b..7553146199 100644
--- a/cpu/msp430fxyz/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/msp430fxyz/periph/timer.c
@@ -67,12 +67,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    uint16_t target = TIMER_BASE->R + (uint16_t)timeout;
-    return timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, (unsigned int)target);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (dev != 0 || channel > TIMER_CHAN) {
diff --git a/cpu/native/include/periph_cpu.h b/cpu/native/include/periph_cpu.h
index 523e90726f..14d91ff820 100644
--- a/cpu/native/include/periph_cpu.h
+++ b/cpu/native/include/periph_cpu.h
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ extern "C" {
 #define CPUID_LEN           (4U)
 #endif
 
+/**
+ * @brief   Prevent shared timer functions from being used
+ */
+#define PERIPH_TIMER_PROVIDES_SET
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/cpu/nrf5x_common/periph/timer.c b/cpu/nrf5x_common/periph/timer.c
index 845173e090..c40f940815 100644
--- a/cpu/nrf5x_common/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/nrf5x_common/periph/timer.c
@@ -91,12 +91,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t tim, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t tim, int chan, unsigned int value)
-{
-    uint32_t now = timer_read(tim);
-    return timer_set_absolute(tim, chan, (now + value));
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t tim, int chan, unsigned int value)
 {
     /* see if channel is valid */
diff --git a/cpu/sam3/periph/timer.c b/cpu/sam3/periph/timer.c
index e8b843db9e..729e1036c5 100644
--- a/cpu/sam3/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/sam3/periph/timer.c
@@ -121,11 +121,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t tim, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    return timer_set_absolute(tim, channel, timer_read(tim) + timeout);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (channel >=TIMER_CHANNELS) {
diff --git a/cpu/samd21/periph/timer.c b/cpu/samd21/periph/timer.c
index 998238f1f8..2306663924 100644
--- a/cpu/samd21/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/samd21/periph/timer.c
@@ -129,11 +129,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    return timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, timer_read(dev) + timeout);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     DEBUG("Setting timer %i channel %i to %i\n", dev, channel, value);
diff --git a/cpu/saml21/periph/timer.c b/cpu/saml21/periph/timer.c
index 44e82ae586..1b87de3b48 100644
--- a/cpu/saml21/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/saml21/periph/timer.c
@@ -84,11 +84,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t dev, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    return timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, timer_read(dev) + timeout);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     DEBUG("Setting timer %i channel %i to %i\n", dev, channel, value);
diff --git a/cpu/stm32_common/periph/timer.c b/cpu/stm32_common/periph/timer.c
index f3e8aba9e5..bdd7441be5 100644
--- a/cpu/stm32_common/periph/timer.c
+++ b/cpu/stm32_common/periph/timer.c
@@ -90,12 +90,6 @@ int timer_init(tim_t tim, unsigned long freq, timer_cb_t cb, void *arg)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int timer_set(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
-{
-    int now = timer_read(tim);
-    return timer_set_absolute(tim, channel, now + timeout);
-}
-
 int timer_set_absolute(tim_t tim, int channel, unsigned int value)
 {
     if (channel >= TIMER_CHAN) {
diff --git a/drivers/periph_common/timer.c b/drivers/periph_common/timer.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1d9f8a58f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/drivers/periph_common/timer.c
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2017 Freie Universität Berlin
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @ingroup     drivers
+ * @{
+ *
+ * @file
+ * @brief       Shared peripheral timer code
+ *
+ * @author      Hauke Petersen <hauke.petersen@fu-berlin.de>
+ *
+ * @}
+ */
+
+#include "periph/timer.h"
+
+#ifndef PERIPH_TIMER_PROVIDES_SET
+int timer_set(tim_t dev, int channel, unsigned int timeout)
+{
+    return timer_set_absolute(dev, channel, timer_read(dev) + timeout);
+}
+#endif