diff --git a/hw/arm/musicpal.c b/hw/arm/musicpal.c
index 246cbb13363a..b3624d5e2801 100644
--- a/hw/arm/musicpal.c
+++ b/hw/arm/musicpal.c
@@ -849,7 +849,7 @@ static void mv88w8618_timer_init(SysBusDevice *dev, mv88w8618_timer_state *s,
     s->freq = freq;
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(mv88w8618_timer_tick, s);
-    s->ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 }
 
 static uint64_t mv88w8618_pit_read(void *opaque, hwaddr offset,
diff --git a/hw/core/ptimer.c b/hw/core/ptimer.c
index d58e2dfdb084..f0d3ce113980 100644
--- a/hw/core/ptimer.c
+++ b/hw/core/ptimer.c
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ const VMStateDescription vmstate_ptimer = {
     }
 };
 
-ptimer_state *ptimer_init(QEMUBH *bh, uint8_t policy_mask)
+ptimer_state *ptimer_init_with_bh(QEMUBH *bh, uint8_t policy_mask)
 {
     ptimer_state *s;
 
diff --git a/hw/dma/xilinx_axidma.c b/hw/dma/xilinx_axidma.c
index a254275b64e8..e035d1f75048 100644
--- a/hw/dma/xilinx_axidma.c
+++ b/hw/dma/xilinx_axidma.c
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ static void xilinx_axidma_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
 
         st->nr = i;
         st->bh = qemu_bh_new(timer_hit, st);
-        st->ptimer = ptimer_init(st->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        st->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(st->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         ptimer_set_freq(st->ptimer, s->freqhz);
     }
     return;
diff --git a/hw/m68k/mcf5206.c b/hw/m68k/mcf5206.c
index a9c2c95b0d12..a49096367cb2 100644
--- a/hw/m68k/mcf5206.c
+++ b/hw/m68k/mcf5206.c
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ static m5206_timer_state *m5206_timer_init(qemu_irq irq)
 
     s = g_new0(m5206_timer_state, 1);
     bh = qemu_bh_new(m5206_timer_trigger, s);
-    s->timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     s->irq = irq;
     m5206_timer_reset(s);
     return s;
diff --git a/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c b/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c
index 60c5802b4edb..34d34eba17c5 100644
--- a/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c
+++ b/hw/m68k/mcf5208.c
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ static void mcf5208_sys_init(MemoryRegion *address_space, qemu_irq *pic)
     for (i = 0; i < 2; i++) {
         s = g_new0(m5208_timer_state, 1);
         bh = qemu_bh_new(m5208_timer_trigger, s);
-        s->timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         memory_region_init_io(&s->iomem, NULL, &m5208_timer_ops, s,
                               "m5208-timer", 0x00004000);
         memory_region_add_subregion(address_space, 0xfc080000 + 0x4000 * i,
diff --git a/hw/net/fsl_etsec/etsec.c b/hw/net/fsl_etsec/etsec.c
index 8451c17fb8f5..d9b3e8c691e6 100644
--- a/hw/net/fsl_etsec/etsec.c
+++ b/hw/net/fsl_etsec/etsec.c
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ static void etsec_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
 
 
     etsec->bh     = qemu_bh_new(etsec_timer_hit, etsec);
-    etsec->ptimer = ptimer_init(etsec->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    etsec->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(etsec->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     ptimer_set_freq(etsec->ptimer, 100);
 }
 
diff --git a/hw/net/lan9118.c b/hw/net/lan9118.c
index 8bba2a80568d..0ea51433dcad 100644
--- a/hw/net/lan9118.c
+++ b/hw/net/lan9118.c
@@ -1350,7 +1350,7 @@ static void lan9118_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     s->txp = &s->tx_packet;
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(lan9118_tick, s);
-    s->timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     ptimer_set_freq(s->timer, 10000);
     ptimer_set_limit(s->timer, 0xffff, 1);
 }
diff --git a/hw/timer/allwinner-a10-pit.c b/hw/timer/allwinner-a10-pit.c
index ca5a90505914..28d055e42f37 100644
--- a/hw/timer/allwinner-a10-pit.c
+++ b/hw/timer/allwinner-a10-pit.c
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ static void a10_pit_init(Object *obj)
         tc->container = s;
         tc->index = i;
         bh[i] = qemu_bh_new(a10_pit_timer_cb, tc);
-        s->timer[i] = ptimer_init(bh[i], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        s->timer[i] = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh[i], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/hw/timer/altera_timer.c b/hw/timer/altera_timer.c
index 936b31311d26..ee32e0ec1ffe 100644
--- a/hw/timer/altera_timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/altera_timer.c
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ static void altera_timer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     }
 
     t->bh = qemu_bh_new(timer_hit, t);
-    t->ptimer = ptimer_init(t->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    t->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(t->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     ptimer_set_freq(t->ptimer, t->freq_hz);
 
     memory_region_init_io(&t->mmio, OBJECT(t), &timer_ops, t,
diff --git a/hw/timer/arm_mptimer.c b/hw/timer/arm_mptimer.c
index 9f63abef10eb..2a54a011431c 100644
--- a/hw/timer/arm_mptimer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/arm_mptimer.c
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ static void arm_mptimer_reset(DeviceState *dev)
     }
 }
 
-static void arm_mptimer_init(Object *obj)
+static void arm_mptimer_init_with_bh(Object *obj)
 {
     ARMMPTimerState *s = ARM_MPTIMER(obj);
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ static void arm_mptimer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     for (i = 0; i < s->num_cpu; i++) {
         TimerBlock *tb = &s->timerblock[i];
         QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(timerblock_tick, tb);
-        tb->timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY);
+        tb->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY);
         sysbus_init_irq(sbd, &tb->irq);
         memory_region_init_io(&tb->iomem, OBJECT(s), &timerblock_ops, tb,
                               "arm_mptimer_timerblock", 0x20);
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ static const TypeInfo arm_mptimer_info = {
     .name          = TYPE_ARM_MPTIMER,
     .parent        = TYPE_SYS_BUS_DEVICE,
     .instance_size = sizeof(ARMMPTimerState),
-    .instance_init = arm_mptimer_init,
+    .instance_init = arm_mptimer_init_with_bh,
     .class_init    = arm_mptimer_class_init,
 };
 
diff --git a/hw/timer/arm_timer.c b/hw/timer/arm_timer.c
index c2e6211188b1..dc33ab310500 100644
--- a/hw/timer/arm_timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/arm_timer.c
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ static arm_timer_state *arm_timer_init(uint32_t freq)
     s->control = TIMER_CTRL_IE;
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(arm_timer_tick, s);
-    s->timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     vmstate_register(NULL, -1, &vmstate_arm_timer, s);
     return s;
 }
diff --git a/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-dualtimer.c b/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-dualtimer.c
index 5e2352dd3268..44d23c803648 100644
--- a/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-dualtimer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-dualtimer.c
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ static void cmsdk_apb_dualtimer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
         QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(cmsdk_dualtimermod_tick, m);
 
         m->parent = s;
-        m->timer = ptimer_init(bh,
+        m->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh,
                                PTIMER_POLICY_WRAP_AFTER_ONE_PERIOD |
                                PTIMER_POLICY_TRIGGER_ONLY_ON_DECREMENT |
                                PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_RELOAD |
diff --git a/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-timer.c b/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-timer.c
index c83e26566a9c..c9ce9770cefe 100644
--- a/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/cmsdk-apb-timer.c
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ static void cmsdk_apb_timer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     }
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(cmsdk_apb_timer_tick, s);
-    s->timer = ptimer_init(bh,
+    s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh,
                            PTIMER_POLICY_WRAP_AFTER_ONE_PERIOD |
                            PTIMER_POLICY_TRIGGER_ONLY_ON_DECREMENT |
                            PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_RELOAD |
diff --git a/hw/timer/digic-timer.c b/hw/timer/digic-timer.c
index 021c4ef714f8..b111e1fe643d 100644
--- a/hw/timer/digic-timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/digic-timer.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ static void digic_timer_init(Object *obj)
 {
     DigicTimerState *s = DIGIC_TIMER(obj);
 
-    s->ptimer = ptimer_init(NULL, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(NULL, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 
     /*
      * FIXME: there is no documentation on Digic timer
diff --git a/hw/timer/etraxfs_timer.c b/hw/timer/etraxfs_timer.c
index d62025b8797f..ab27fe1895b8 100644
--- a/hw/timer/etraxfs_timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/etraxfs_timer.c
@@ -328,9 +328,9 @@ static void etraxfs_timer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     t->bh_t0 = qemu_bh_new(timer0_hit, t);
     t->bh_t1 = qemu_bh_new(timer1_hit, t);
     t->bh_wd = qemu_bh_new(watchdog_hit, t);
-    t->ptimer_t0 = ptimer_init(t->bh_t0, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
-    t->ptimer_t1 = ptimer_init(t->bh_t1, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
-    t->ptimer_wd = ptimer_init(t->bh_wd, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    t->ptimer_t0 = ptimer_init_with_bh(t->bh_t0, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    t->ptimer_t1 = ptimer_init_with_bh(t->bh_t1, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    t->ptimer_wd = ptimer_init_with_bh(t->bh_wd, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 
     sysbus_init_irq(sbd, &t->irq);
     sysbus_init_irq(sbd, &t->nmi);
diff --git a/hw/timer/exynos4210_mct.c b/hw/timer/exynos4210_mct.c
index 77b9af05f41b..9f2e8dd0a424 100644
--- a/hw/timer/exynos4210_mct.c
+++ b/hw/timer/exynos4210_mct.c
@@ -1429,7 +1429,7 @@ static void exynos4210_mct_init(Object *obj)
 
     /* Global timer */
     bh[0] = qemu_bh_new(exynos4210_gfrc_event, s);
-    s->g_timer.ptimer_frc = ptimer_init(bh[0], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->g_timer.ptimer_frc = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh[0], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     memset(&s->g_timer.reg, 0, sizeof(struct gregs));
 
     /* Local timers */
@@ -1437,8 +1437,9 @@ static void exynos4210_mct_init(Object *obj)
         bh[0] = qemu_bh_new(exynos4210_ltick_event, &s->l_timer[i]);
         bh[1] = qemu_bh_new(exynos4210_lfrc_event, &s->l_timer[i]);
         s->l_timer[i].tick_timer.ptimer_tick =
-                                   ptimer_init(bh[0], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
-        s->l_timer[i].ptimer_frc = ptimer_init(bh[1], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+            ptimer_init_with_bh(bh[0], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        s->l_timer[i].ptimer_frc =
+            ptimer_init_with_bh(bh[1], PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         s->l_timer[i].id = i;
     }
 
diff --git a/hw/timer/exynos4210_pwm.c b/hw/timer/exynos4210_pwm.c
index b7fad2ad449e..aa5dca68ef75 100644
--- a/hw/timer/exynos4210_pwm.c
+++ b/hw/timer/exynos4210_pwm.c
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ static void exynos4210_pwm_init(Object *obj)
     for (i = 0; i < EXYNOS4210_PWM_TIMERS_NUM; i++) {
         bh = qemu_bh_new(exynos4210_pwm_tick, &s->timer[i]);
         sysbus_init_irq(dev, &s->timer[i].irq);
-        s->timer[i].ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        s->timer[i].ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         s->timer[i].id = i;
         s->timer[i].parent = s;
     }
diff --git a/hw/timer/exynos4210_rtc.c b/hw/timer/exynos4210_rtc.c
index ea689042297c..d5d7c91fb153 100644
--- a/hw/timer/exynos4210_rtc.c
+++ b/hw/timer/exynos4210_rtc.c
@@ -558,12 +558,12 @@ static void exynos4210_rtc_init(Object *obj)
     QEMUBH *bh;
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(exynos4210_rtc_tick, s);
-    s->ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     ptimer_set_freq(s->ptimer, RTC_BASE_FREQ);
     exynos4210_rtc_update_freq(s, 0);
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(exynos4210_rtc_1Hz_tick, s);
-    s->ptimer_1Hz = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer_1Hz = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     ptimer_set_freq(s->ptimer_1Hz, RTC_BASE_FREQ);
 
     sysbus_init_irq(dev, &s->alm_irq);
diff --git a/hw/timer/grlib_gptimer.c b/hw/timer/grlib_gptimer.c
index 32dbf870d4b6..bb09268ea14e 100644
--- a/hw/timer/grlib_gptimer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/grlib_gptimer.c
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ static void grlib_gptimer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
 
         timer->unit   = unit;
         timer->bh     = qemu_bh_new(grlib_gptimer_hit, timer);
-        timer->ptimer = ptimer_init(timer->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        timer->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(timer->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         timer->id     = i;
 
         /* One IRQ line for each timer */
diff --git a/hw/timer/imx_epit.c b/hw/timer/imx_epit.c
index f54e059910b9..39810ac8b03e 100644
--- a/hw/timer/imx_epit.c
+++ b/hw/timer/imx_epit.c
@@ -317,10 +317,10 @@ static void imx_epit_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
                           0x00001000);
     sysbus_init_mmio(sbd, &s->iomem);
 
-    s->timer_reload = ptimer_init(NULL, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->timer_reload = ptimer_init_with_bh(NULL, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(imx_epit_cmp, s);
-    s->timer_cmp = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->timer_cmp = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 }
 
 static void imx_epit_class_init(ObjectClass *klass, void *data)
diff --git a/hw/timer/imx_gpt.c b/hw/timer/imx_gpt.c
index 49a441f4517e..c535d191292c 100644
--- a/hw/timer/imx_gpt.c
+++ b/hw/timer/imx_gpt.c
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ static void imx_gpt_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     sysbus_init_mmio(sbd, &s->iomem);
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(imx_gpt_timeout, s);
-    s->timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 }
 
 static void imx_gpt_class_init(ObjectClass *klass, void *data)
diff --git a/hw/timer/lm32_timer.c b/hw/timer/lm32_timer.c
index cf316edb7feb..fabde760b2d7 100644
--- a/hw/timer/lm32_timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/lm32_timer.c
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ static void lm32_timer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     LM32TimerState *s = LM32_TIMER(dev);
 
     s->bh = qemu_bh_new(timer_hit, s);
-    s->ptimer = ptimer_init(s->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(s->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 
     ptimer_set_freq(s->ptimer, s->freq_hz);
 }
diff --git a/hw/timer/milkymist-sysctl.c b/hw/timer/milkymist-sysctl.c
index 6aedc11befa1..5193c0385014 100644
--- a/hw/timer/milkymist-sysctl.c
+++ b/hw/timer/milkymist-sysctl.c
@@ -294,8 +294,8 @@ static void milkymist_sysctl_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
 
     s->bh0 = qemu_bh_new(timer0_hit, s);
     s->bh1 = qemu_bh_new(timer1_hit, s);
-    s->ptimer0 = ptimer_init(s->bh0, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
-    s->ptimer1 = ptimer_init(s->bh1, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer0 = ptimer_init_with_bh(s->bh0, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer1 = ptimer_init_with_bh(s->bh1, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 
     ptimer_set_freq(s->ptimer0, s->freq_hz);
     ptimer_set_freq(s->ptimer1, s->freq_hz);
diff --git a/hw/timer/mss-timer.c b/hw/timer/mss-timer.c
index 45f1cf42f9e1..a34c2402b00e 100644
--- a/hw/timer/mss-timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/mss-timer.c
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ static void mss_timer_init(Object *obj)
         struct Msf2Timer *st = &t->timers[i];
 
         st->bh = qemu_bh_new(timer_hit, st);
-        st->ptimer = ptimer_init(st->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        st->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(st->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         ptimer_set_freq(st->ptimer, t->freq_hz);
         sysbus_init_irq(SYS_BUS_DEVICE(obj), &st->irq);
     }
diff --git a/hw/timer/puv3_ost.c b/hw/timer/puv3_ost.c
index 6fe370049b5d..0898da5ce973 100644
--- a/hw/timer/puv3_ost.c
+++ b/hw/timer/puv3_ost.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ static void puv3_ost_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     sysbus_init_irq(sbd, &s->irq);
 
     s->bh = qemu_bh_new(puv3_ost_tick, s);
-    s->ptimer = ptimer_init(s->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(s->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
     ptimer_set_freq(s->ptimer, 50 * 1000 * 1000);
 
     memory_region_init_io(&s->iomem, OBJECT(s), &puv3_ost_ops, s, "puv3_ost",
diff --git a/hw/timer/sh_timer.c b/hw/timer/sh_timer.c
index adcc0c138e78..48a81b4dc79d 100644
--- a/hw/timer/sh_timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/sh_timer.c
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ static void *sh_timer_init(uint32_t freq, int feat, qemu_irq irq)
     s->irq = irq;
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(sh_timer_tick, s);
-    s->timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+    s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
 
     sh_timer_write(s, OFFSET_TCOR >> 2, s->tcor);
     sh_timer_write(s, OFFSET_TCNT >> 2, s->tcnt);
diff --git a/hw/timer/slavio_timer.c b/hw/timer/slavio_timer.c
index 38fd32b62a0e..692d213897de 100644
--- a/hw/timer/slavio_timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/slavio_timer.c
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ static void slavio_timer_init(Object *obj)
         tc->timer_index = i;
 
         bh = qemu_bh_new(slavio_timer_irq, tc);
-        s->cputimer[i].timer = ptimer_init(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        s->cputimer[i].timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         ptimer_set_period(s->cputimer[i].timer, TIMER_PERIOD);
 
         size = i == 0 ? SYS_TIMER_SIZE : CPU_TIMER_SIZE;
diff --git a/hw/timer/xilinx_timer.c b/hw/timer/xilinx_timer.c
index 355518232cde..92dbff304d93 100644
--- a/hw/timer/xilinx_timer.c
+++ b/hw/timer/xilinx_timer.c
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ static void xilinx_timer_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
         xt->parent = t;
         xt->nr = i;
         xt->bh = qemu_bh_new(timer_hit, xt);
-        xt->ptimer = ptimer_init(xt->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
+        xt->ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(xt->bh, PTIMER_POLICY_DEFAULT);
         ptimer_set_freq(xt->ptimer, t->freq_hz);
     }
 
diff --git a/hw/watchdog/cmsdk-apb-watchdog.c b/hw/watchdog/cmsdk-apb-watchdog.c
index 6bf43f943fb1..e42c3ebd29d1 100644
--- a/hw/watchdog/cmsdk-apb-watchdog.c
+++ b/hw/watchdog/cmsdk-apb-watchdog.c
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ static void cmsdk_apb_watchdog_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     }
 
     bh = qemu_bh_new(cmsdk_apb_watchdog_tick, s);
-    s->timer = ptimer_init(bh,
+    s->timer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh,
                            PTIMER_POLICY_WRAP_AFTER_ONE_PERIOD |
                            PTIMER_POLICY_TRIGGER_ONLY_ON_DECREMENT |
                            PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_RELOAD |
diff --git a/include/hw/ptimer.h b/include/hw/ptimer.h
index 9c7705522900..2fb9ba1915e6 100644
--- a/include/hw/ptimer.h
+++ b/include/hw/ptimer.h
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
  * ptimer_set_count() or ptimer_set_limit() will not trigger the timer
  * (though it will cause a reload). Only a counter decrement to "0"
  * will cause a trigger. Not compatible with NO_IMMEDIATE_TRIGGER;
- * ptimer_init() will assert() that you don't set both.
+ * ptimer_init_with_bh() will assert() that you don't set both.
  */
 #define PTIMER_POLICY_TRIGGER_ONLY_ON_DECREMENT (1 << 5)
 
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ typedef struct ptimer_state ptimer_state;
 typedef void (*ptimer_cb)(void *opaque);
 
 /**
- * ptimer_init - Allocate and return a new ptimer
+ * ptimer_init_with_bh - Allocate and return a new ptimer
  * @bh: QEMU bottom half which is run on timer expiry
  * @policy: PTIMER_POLICY_* bits specifying behaviour
  *
@@ -89,13 +89,13 @@ typedef void (*ptimer_cb)(void *opaque);
  * The ptimer takes ownership of @bh and will delete it
  * when the ptimer is eventually freed.
  */
-ptimer_state *ptimer_init(QEMUBH *bh, uint8_t policy_mask);
+ptimer_state *ptimer_init_with_bh(QEMUBH *bh, uint8_t policy_mask);
 
 /**
  * ptimer_free - Free a ptimer
  * @s: timer to free
  *
- * Free a ptimer created using ptimer_init() (including
+ * Free a ptimer created using ptimer_init_with_bh() (including
  * deleting the bottom half which it is using).
  */
 void ptimer_free(ptimer_state *s);
@@ -178,7 +178,8 @@ void ptimer_set_count(ptimer_state *s, uint64_t count);
  * @oneshot: non-zero if this timer should only count down once
  *
  * Start a ptimer counting down; when it reaches zero the bottom half
- * passed to ptimer_init() will be invoked. If the @oneshot argument is zero,
+ * passed to ptimer_init_with_bh() will be invoked.
+ * If the @oneshot argument is zero,
  * the counter value will then be reloaded from the limit and it will
  * start counting down again. If @oneshot is non-zero, then the counter
  * will disable itself when it reaches zero.
diff --git a/tests/ptimer-test.c b/tests/ptimer-test.c
index 5b20e91599e5..a3c82d1d1474 100644
--- a/tests/ptimer-test.c
+++ b/tests/ptimer-test.c
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ static void check_set_count(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
 
     triggered = false;
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ static void check_set_limit(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
 
     triggered = false;
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ static void check_oneshot(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool no_round_down = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_COUNTER_ROUND_DOWN);
 
     triggered = false;
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ static void check_periodic(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool wrap_policy = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_WRAP_AFTER_ONE_PERIOD);
     bool no_immediate_trigger = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_TRIGGER);
     bool no_immediate_reload = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_RELOAD);
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ static void check_on_the_fly_mode_change(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool wrap_policy = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_WRAP_AFTER_ONE_PERIOD);
     bool no_round_down = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_COUNTER_ROUND_DOWN);
 
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ static void check_on_the_fly_period_change(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool no_round_down = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_COUNTER_ROUND_DOWN);
 
     triggered = false;
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ static void check_on_the_fly_freq_change(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool no_round_down = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_COUNTER_ROUND_DOWN);
 
     triggered = false;
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ static void check_run_with_period_0(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
 
     triggered = false;
 
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ static void check_run_with_delta_0(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool wrap_policy = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_WRAP_AFTER_ONE_PERIOD);
     bool no_immediate_trigger = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_TRIGGER);
     bool no_immediate_reload = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_RELOAD);
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ static void check_periodic_with_load_0(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool continuous_trigger = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_CONTINUOUS_TRIGGER);
     bool no_immediate_trigger = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_TRIGGER);
     bool trig_only_on_dec = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_TRIGGER_ONLY_ON_DECREMENT);
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ static void check_oneshot_with_load_0(gconstpointer arg)
 {
     const uint8_t *policy = arg;
     QEMUBH *bh = qemu_bh_new(ptimer_trigger, NULL);
-    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init(bh, *policy);
+    ptimer_state *ptimer = ptimer_init_with_bh(bh, *policy);
     bool no_immediate_trigger = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_NO_IMMEDIATE_TRIGGER);
     bool trig_only_on_dec = (*policy & PTIMER_POLICY_TRIGGER_ONLY_ON_DECREMENT);