diff --git a/mpf/core/config_spec.py b/mpf/core/config_spec.py
index 6fe041d40..45591261e 100644
--- a/mpf/core/config_spec.py
+++ b/mpf/core/config_spec.py
@@ -1068,7 +1068,7 @@
     end_value: single|template_int|None
     direction: single|str|up
     max_value: single|int|None
-    tick_interval: single|ms|1s
+    tick_interval: single|template_secs|1s
     start_running: single|bool|False
     control_events: list|subconfig(timer_control_events)|None
     restart_on_complete: single|bool|False
diff --git a/mpf/core/config_validator.py b/mpf/core/config_validator.py
index e1052bef7..fef7cf6db 100644
--- a/mpf/core/config_validator.py
+++ b/mpf/core/config_validator.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ def __init__(self, machine):
             "template_float": self._validate_type_template_float,
             "template_int": self._validate_type_template_int,
             "template_bool": self._validate_type_template_bool,
+            "template_secs": self._validate_type_template_secs,
             "boolean": self._validate_type_bool,
             "ms": self._validate_type_ms,
             "secs": self._validate_type_secs,
@@ -372,6 +373,20 @@ def _validate_type_template_float(self, item, validation_failure_info):
 
         return self.machine.placeholder_manager.build_float_template(item)
 
+    def _validate_type_template_secs(self, item, validation_failure_info):
+        if item is None:
+            return None
+        if not isinstance(item, (str, int)):
+            self.validation_error(item, validation_failure_info, "Template has to be string/int.")
+
+        # try to convert to float. if we fail it will be a template
+        try:
+            item = Util.string_to_secs(item)
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
+
+        return self.machine.placeholder_manager.build_float_template(item)
+
     def _validate_type_template_int(self, item, validation_failure_info):
         if item is None:
             return None
diff --git a/mpf/devices/timer.py b/mpf/devices/timer.py
index 675c6fd50..55792e80e 100644
--- a/mpf/devices/timer.py
+++ b/mpf/devices/timer.py
@@ -50,23 +50,15 @@ def _initialize(self):
         self.ticks_remaining = 0
         self.max_value = self.config['max_value']
         self.direction = self.config['direction'].lower()
-        self.tick_secs = self.config['tick_interval'] / 1000.0
+        self.tick_secs = None
         self.timer = None               # type: PeriodicTask
         self.event_keys = list()        # type: List[EventHandlerKey]
         self.delay = DelayManager(self.machine.delayRegistry)
 
-        try:
-            self.end_value = self.config['end_value'].evaluate([])
-        except AttributeError:
-            self.end_value = None
-
-        if self.direction == 'down' and not self.end_value:
-            self.end_value = 0  # need it to be 0 not None
-
-        self.start_value = self.config['start_value'].evaluate([])
         self.restart_on_complete = self.config['restart_on_complete']
-
-        self.ticks = self.start_value
+        self.end_value = None
+        self.start_value = None
+        self.ticks = None
 
         if self.config['debug']:
             self.configure_logging('Timer.' + self.name,
@@ -91,6 +83,19 @@ def _initialize(self):
     def device_loaded_in_mode(self, mode: Mode, player: Player):
         """Set up control events when mode is loaded."""
         del mode
+        self.tick_secs = self.config['tick_interval'].evaluate([])
+
+        try:
+            self.end_value = self.config['end_value'].evaluate([])
+        except AttributeError:
+            self.end_value = None
+
+        if self.direction == 'down' and not self.end_value:
+            self.end_value = 0  # need it to be 0 not None
+
+        self.start_value = self.config['start_value'].evaluate([])
+        self.ticks = self.start_value
+
         self.player = player
         if self.config['control_events']:
             self._setup_control_events(self.config['control_events'])
@@ -142,7 +147,7 @@ def _setup_control_events(self, event_list):
 
             elif entry['action'] == 'reset_tick_interval':
                 handler = self.set_tick_interval
-                kwargs = {'timer_value': self.config['tick_interval'] / 1000.0}
+                kwargs = {'timer_value': self.config['tick_interval'].evaluate([])}
 
             else:
                 raise AssertionError("Invalid control_event action {} in mode".
diff --git a/mpf/tests/test_Timer.py b/mpf/tests/test_Timer.py
index 547d4fe46..1b318587e 100644
--- a/mpf/tests/test_Timer.py
+++ b/mpf/tests/test_Timer.py
@@ -325,3 +325,32 @@ def test_interrupt_timer_by_mode_stop_with_player(self):
         self.advance_time_and_run(20)
         self.assertEqual(3, self.tick)
         self.assertFalse(self.started)
+
+    def test_mode_timer_with_player_var(self):
+        # add a fake player
+        self.start_game()
+
+        # start mode. no player vars
+        self.mock_event("timer_timer_player_var_complete")
+        self.machine.events.post('start_mode_with_timers')
+        self.advance_time_and_run(.1)
+
+        self.assertEventCalled("timer_timer_player_var_complete")
+        self.machine.events.post('stop_mode_with_timers')
+        self.advance_time_and_run(.1)
+
+        # set player vars. timer should run 5s
+        self.machine.game.player.start = 2
+        self.machine.game.player.end = 7
+
+        self.machine.log.debug("START")
+        self.mock_event("timer_timer_player_var_complete")
+        self.machine.events.post('start_mode_with_timers')
+        self.advance_time_and_run(4.5)
+        self.machine.log.debug("END")
+        self.assertEventNotCalled("timer_timer_player_var_complete")
+
+        self.advance_time_and_run(0.6)
+
+        self.assertEventCalled("timer_timer_player_var_complete")
+        self.machine.events.post('stop_mode_with_timers')
\ No newline at end of file