diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiter.java b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiter.java
index 25af46b5d8..d2a7a94eb0 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiter.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/main/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiter.java
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ public Optional<Duration> isLimited(RateLimitState rateLimitState) {
       actualState.increaseCount();
       return Optional.empty();
     } else {
-      return Optional.of(Duration.between(actualState.getLastRefreshTime(), LocalDateTime.now()));
+      var remaining =
+          Duration.between(
+              LocalDateTime.now(), actualState.getLastRefreshTime().plus(refreshPeriod));
+      return Optional.of(remaining.isNegative() ? Duration.ZERO : remaining);
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiterTest.java b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiterTest.java
index 43b30f9de7..7c5bdac479 100644
--- a/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiterTest.java
+++ b/operator-framework-core/src/test/java/io/javaoperatorsdk/operator/processing/event/rate/LinearRateLimiterTest.java
@@ -53,7 +53,22 @@ void returnsMinimalDurationToAcquirePermission() {
     res = rl.isLimited(state);
 
     assertThat(res).isPresent();
-    assertThat(res.get()).isLessThan(REFRESH_PERIOD);
+    assertThat(res.get()).isLessThanOrEqualTo(REFRESH_PERIOD);
+    // the whole period is still ahead of us, so the reported wait must be close to it
+    assertThat(res.get()).isGreaterThan(REFRESH_PERIOD.dividedBy(2));
+  }
+
+  @Test
+  void reportedDurationIsTheTimeRemainingNotTheTimeElapsed() throws InterruptedException {
+    var rl = new LinearRateLimiter(REFRESH_PERIOD, 1);
+    assertThat(rl.isLimited(state)).isEmpty();
+
+    var justAfterLimit = rl.isLimited(state).orElseThrow();
+    Thread.sleep(REFRESH_PERIOD.toMillis() / 2);
+    var halfWayThroughPeriod = rl.isLimited(state).orElseThrow();
+
+    // as the refresh period elapses, less time remains until a permission is available again
+    assertThat(halfWayThroughPeriod).isLessThan(justAfterLimit);
   }
 
   @Test