diff --git a/arch/x86/kernel/apic/apic.c b/arch/x86/kernel/apic/apic.c
index dba2828b779a..f91b3ff9dc03 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kernel/apic/apic.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kernel/apic/apic.c
@@ -834,6 +834,10 @@ bool __init apic_needs_pit(void)
 	if (!boot_cpu_has(X86_FEATURE_APIC))
 		return true;
 
+	/* Virt guests may lack ARAT, but still have DEADLINE */
+	if (!boot_cpu_has(X86_FEATURE_ARAT))
+		return true;
+
 	/* Deadline timer is based on TSC so no further PIT action required */
 	if (boot_cpu_has(X86_FEATURE_TSC_DEADLINE_TIMER))
 		return false;