diff --git a/sys/include/ztimer/periodic.h b/sys/include/ztimer/periodic.h
index f2d5c1f13c..8cafe525b4 100644
--- a/sys/include/ztimer/periodic.h
+++ b/sys/include/ztimer/periodic.h
@@ -130,6 +130,19 @@ void ztimer_periodic_init(ztimer_clock_t *clock, ztimer_periodic_t *timer,
  */
 void ztimer_periodic_start(ztimer_periodic_t *timer);
 
+/**
+ * @brief    Start or restart a periodic timer without initial timer delay
+ *
+ * When called on a newly initialized timer, the timer will start.
+ *
+ * When called on an already running timer, the current interval is reset to its
+ * start (thus the next callback will be called after the configured interval
+ * has passed).
+ *
+ * @param[in]   timer   periodic timer object to work on
+ */
+void ztimer_periodic_start_now(ztimer_periodic_t *timer);
+
 /**
  * @brief   Stop a periodic timer
  *
diff --git a/sys/ztimer/periodic.c b/sys/ztimer/periodic.c
index 70cba0ece2..8542ae21f0 100644
--- a/sys/ztimer/periodic.c
+++ b/sys/ztimer/periodic.c
@@ -75,6 +75,11 @@ void ztimer_periodic_start(ztimer_periodic_t *timer)
     timer->last = ztimer_set(timer->clock, &timer->timer, timer->interval) + timer->interval;
 }
 
+void ztimer_periodic_start_now(ztimer_periodic_t *timer)
+{
+    timer->last = ztimer_set(timer->clock, &timer->timer, 0);
+}
+
 void ztimer_periodic_stop(ztimer_periodic_t *timer)
 {
     ztimer_remove(timer->clock, &timer->timer);