diff --git a/cpu/msp430-common/hwtimer_cpu.c b/cpu/msp430-common/hwtimer_cpu.c
index 40c6867b41..c1dedf6a80 100644
--- a/cpu/msp430-common/hwtimer_cpu.c
+++ b/cpu/msp430-common/hwtimer_cpu.c
@@ -107,9 +107,9 @@ void hwtimer_arch_set(unsigned long offset, short timer)
 
 void hwtimer_arch_set_absolute(unsigned long value, short timer)
 {
-    uint16_t small_value = value % 0xFFFF;
+    uint16_t small_value = value & 0xFFFF;
     overflow_interrupt[timer] = (uint16_t)(value >> 16);
-    timer_set(small_value,timer);
+    timer_set(small_value, timer);
 }
 
 void hwtimer_arch_unset(short timer)