diff --git a/docs/firmware-design.rst b/docs/firmware-design.rst
index e3500c2..8aa7622 100644
--- a/docs/firmware-design.rst
+++ b/docs/firmware-design.rst
@@ -306,6 +306,8 @@
 -  If the BL1 dynamic configuration file, ``TB_FW_CONFIG``, is available, then
    load it to the platform defined address and make it available to BL2 via
    ``arg0``.
+-  Configure the system timer and program the `CNTFRQ_EL0` for use by NS-BL1U
+   and NS-BL2U firmware update images.
 
 Firmware Update detection and execution
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
diff --git a/plat/arm/common/arm_bl1_setup.c b/plat/arm/common/arm_bl1_setup.c
index e5e7304..d141f64 100644
--- a/plat/arm/common/arm_bl1_setup.c
+++ b/plat/arm/common/arm_bl1_setup.c
@@ -118,6 +118,12 @@
 #if LOAD_IMAGE_V2
 	arm_load_tb_fw_config();
 #endif
+	/*
+	 * Allow access to the System counter timer module and program
+	 * counter frequency for non secure images during FWU
+	 */
+	arm_configure_sys_timer();
+	write_cntfrq_el0(plat_get_syscnt_freq2());
 }
 
 void bl1_platform_setup(void)