diff --git a/tests/coverage/priv.S b/tests/coverage/priv.S
index c4e9e302d..e9a04a68f 100644
--- a/tests/coverage/priv.S
+++ b/tests/coverage/priv.S
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ main:
     ecall
 
     # Test read to stimecmp fails when MCOUNTEREN_TM is not set
-    addi t0, zero, 0
+    li t1, -3
+    csrw stimecmp, t1
     csrr t0, stimecmp