diff --git a/mistral/services/periodic.py b/mistral/services/periodic.py
index d5e2b660b..b10ea50a0 100644
--- a/mistral/services/periodic.py
+++ b/mistral/services/periodic.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 #    limitations under the License.
 
+import datetime
 import json
 
 from oslo_config import cfg
@@ -121,9 +122,11 @@ def advance_cron_trigger(t):
                 delete_trust=False
             )
         else:  # if remaining execution = None or > 0.
+            # In case the we are lagging or if the api stopped for some time
+            # we use the max of the current time or the next scheduled time.
             next_time = triggers.get_next_execution_time(
                 t.pattern,
-                t.next_execution_time
+                max(datetime.datetime.utcnow(), t.next_execution_time)
             )
 
             # Update the cron trigger with next execution details
diff --git a/mistral/tests/unit/engine/test_cron_trigger.py b/mistral/tests/unit/engine/test_cron_trigger.py
index 9089ac65b..5791e0818 100644
--- a/mistral/tests/unit/engine/test_cron_trigger.py
+++ b/mistral/tests/unit/engine/test_cron_trigger.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 #    limitations under the License.
 import datetime
+import time
 
 import mock
 from oslo_config import cfg
@@ -120,7 +121,9 @@ class ProcessCronTriggerTest(base.EngineTestCase):
 
         next_trigger = next_triggers[0]
         next_execution_time_before = next_trigger.next_execution_time
+        ts_before = datetime.datetime.utcnow()
 
+        time.sleep(1)  # this is to simulate lagging
         periodic.process_cron_triggers_v2(None, None)
 
         next_triggers = triggers.get_next_cron_triggers()
@@ -130,6 +133,11 @@ class ProcessCronTriggerTest(base.EngineTestCase):
         next_trigger = next_triggers[0]
         next_execution_time_after = next_trigger.next_execution_time
 
+        self.assertGreater(
+            next_execution_time_after,
+            ts_before
+        )
+
         self.assertNotEqual(
             next_execution_time_before,
             next_execution_time_after