diff --git a/arch/nios2/kernel/time.c b/arch/nios2/kernel/time.c
index be186a75f622..9e3cc8a40ee9 100644
--- a/arch/nios2/kernel/time.c
+++ b/arch/nios2/kernel/time.c
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@
 #include <linux/io.h>
 #include <linux/slab.h>
 
-#define ALTERA_TIMER_STATUS_REG		0
+#define ALTR_TIMER_COMPATIBLE		"altr,timer-1.0"
+
+#define ALTERA_TIMER_STATUS_REG	0
 #define ALTERA_TIMER_CONTROL_REG	4
 #define ALTERA_TIMER_PERIODL_REG	8
 #define ALTERA_TIMER_PERIODH_REG	12
@@ -304,7 +306,16 @@ void read_persistent_clock(struct timespec *ts)
 
 void __init time_init(void)
 {
+	struct device_node *np;
+	int count = 0;
+
+	for_each_compatible_node(np, NULL,  ALTR_TIMER_COMPATIBLE)
+		count++;
+
+	if (count < 2)
+		panic("%d timer is found, it needs 2 timers in system\n", count);
+
 	clocksource_of_init();
 }
 
-CLOCKSOURCE_OF_DECLARE(nios2_timer, "altr,timer-1.0", nios2_time_init);
+CLOCKSOURCE_OF_DECLARE(nios2_timer, ALTR_TIMER_COMPATIBLE, nios2_time_init);