diff --git a/arch/arm64/kernel/head.S b/arch/arm64/kernel/head.S
index 7ee6d74101cf..4b1abac3485a 100644
--- a/arch/arm64/kernel/head.S
+++ b/arch/arm64/kernel/head.S
@@ -525,10 +525,21 @@ set_hcr:
 	msr	hcr_el2, x0
 	isb
 
-	/* Generic timers. */
+	/*
+	 * Allow Non-secure EL1 and EL0 to access physical timer and counter.
+	 * This is not necessary for VHE, since the host kernel runs in EL2,
+	 * and EL0 accesses are configured in the later stage of boot process.
+	 * Note that when HCR_EL2.E2H == 1, CNTHCTL_EL2 has the same bit layout
+	 * as CNTKCTL_EL1, and CNTKCTL_EL1 accessing instructions are redefined
+	 * to access CNTHCTL_EL2. This allows the kernel designed to run at EL1
+	 * to transparently mess with the EL0 bits via CNTKCTL_EL1 access in
+	 * EL2.
+	 */
+	cbnz	x2, 1f
 	mrs	x0, cnthctl_el2
 	orr	x0, x0, #3			// Enable EL1 physical timers
 	msr	cnthctl_el2, x0
+1:
 	msr	cntvoff_el2, xzr		// Clear virtual offset
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_ARM_GIC_V3