A system and method for programming a timer in a virtualized system are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a hypervisor executed by a processing device stores, in a first memory location that is readable by a virtual machine (VM), a first time that is associated with a first future interrupt. The hypervisor programs a timer to trigger at the first time, and detects a request by the VM for a second future interrupt at a second time, wherein the detecting comprises reading the second time from a second memory location that is writeable by the VM.