diff --git a/libs/libc/wqueue/work_usrthread.c b/libs/libc/wqueue/work_usrthread.c
index 3e56ea460d..41831f2d07 100644
--- a/libs/libc/wqueue/work_usrthread.c
+++ b/libs/libc/wqueue/work_usrthread.c
@@ -191,17 +191,18 @@ static void work_process(FAR struct usr_wqueue_s *wqueue)
     }
   else
     {
+      struct timespec now;
+      struct timespec delay;
       struct timespec rqtp;
-      time_t sec;
 
       /* Wait awhile to check the work list.  We will wait here until
        * either the time elapses or until we are awakened by a semaphore.
        * Interrupts will be re-enabled while we wait.
        */
 
-      sec          = next / 1000000;
-      rqtp.tv_sec  = sec;
-      rqtp.tv_nsec = (next - (sec * 1000000)) * 1000;
+      clock_gettime(CLOCK_REALTIME, &now);
+      clock_ticks2time(next, &delay);
+      clock_timespec_add(&now, &delay, &rqtp);
 
       _SEM_TIMEDWAIT(&wqueue->wake, &rqtp);
     }