diff --git a/drivers/pwm/pwm-sifive.c b/drivers/pwm/pwm-sifive.c
index 62b6acc6373d..393a4b97fc19 100644
--- a/drivers/pwm/pwm-sifive.c
+++ b/drivers/pwm/pwm-sifive.c
@@ -161,7 +161,13 @@ static int pwm_sifive_apply(struct pwm_chip *chip, struct pwm_device *pwm,
 
 	mutex_lock(&ddata->lock);
 	if (state->period != ddata->approx_period) {
-		if (ddata->user_count != 1) {
+		/*
+		 * Don't let a 2nd user change the period underneath the 1st user.
+		 * However if ddate->approx_period == 0 this is the first time we set
+		 * any period, so let whoever gets here first set the period so other
+		 * users who agree on the period won't fail.
+		 */
+		if (ddata->user_count != 1 && ddata->approx_period) {
 			mutex_unlock(&ddata->lock);
 			return -EBUSY;
 		}