diff --git a/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/config.c b/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/config.c
index 2f2a3fd577..3b6a6c2df8 100644
--- a/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/config.c
+++ b/openair2/LAYER2/NR_MAC_gNB/config.c
@@ -455,6 +455,12 @@ int nr_mac_enable_ue_rrc_processing_timer(module_id_t Mod_idP, rnti_t rnti, NR_S
   sched_ctrl->rrc_processing_timer = (rrc_reconfiguration_delay<<subcarrierSpacing) + sl_ahead;
   LOG_I(NR_MAC, "Activating RRC processing timer for UE %04x with %d ms\n", UE_info->rnti, rrc_reconfiguration_delay);
 
+  // it might happen that timing advance command should be sent during the RRC
+  // processing timer. To prevent this, set a variable as if we would have just
+  // sent it. This way, another TA command will for sure be sent in some
+  // frames, after RRC processing timer.
+  sched_ctrl->ta_frame = (RC.nrmac[Mod_idP]->frame - 1 + 1024) % 1024;
+
   return 0;
 }