diff --git a/arch/arm64/boot/dts/ti/k3-am62x-pfc.dtsi b/arch/arm64/boot/dts/ti/k3-am62x-pfc.dtsi
index ec0fb9c27485..a0a54762f32d 100644
--- a/arch/arm64/boot/dts/ti/k3-am62x-pfc.dtsi
+++ b/arch/arm64/boot/dts/ti/k3-am62x-pfc.dtsi
@@ -886,6 +886,14 @@
 	};
 };
 
+/*
+ * This system watchdog is reserved for internal use and is not user-configurable.
+ * It must not be modified or deleted to ensure consistent behavior!
+ */
+&main_rti1 {    // watchdog@e010000
+    timeout-sec = <120>;
+};
+
 /*
  * AM6232 does not have main_rti2, main_rti3, and main_rti15
  * https://e2e.ti.com/support/processors-group/processors/f/processors-forum/1218039/am623-stuck-in-sd-card-after-boot-up
diff --git a/drivers/watchdog/rti_wdt.c b/drivers/watchdog/rti_wdt.c
index cc239251e193..2bdc4133d346 100644
--- a/drivers/watchdog/rti_wdt.c
+++ b/drivers/watchdog/rti_wdt.c
@@ -335,7 +335,9 @@ static int rti_wdt_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 		memunmap(vaddr);
 	}
 
-	watchdog_init_timeout(wdd, heartbeat, dev);
+	// grab timeout from DTS first
+	wdd->timeout = heartbeat;
+	watchdog_init_timeout(wdd, 0, dev);
 
 	ret = watchdog_register_device(wdd);
 	if (ret) {