diff --git a/openbsc/src/libbsc/bsc_init.c b/openbsc/src/libbsc/bsc_init.c
index 374ad7b77..a63528c87 100644
--- a/openbsc/src/libbsc/bsc_init.c
+++ b/openbsc/src/libbsc/bsc_init.c
@@ -397,10 +397,10 @@ static int bootstrap_bts(struct gsm_bts *bts)
 		}
 		break;
 	case GSM_BAND_900:
-		if (bts->c0->arfcn < 1 ||
+		if (bts->c0->arfcn < 0 ||
 		   (bts->c0->arfcn > 124 && bts->c0->arfcn < 955) ||
 		    bts->c0->arfcn > 1023)  {
-			LOGP(DNM, LOGL_ERROR, "GSM900 channel must be between 1-124, 955-1023.\n");
+			LOGP(DNM, LOGL_ERROR, "GSM900 channel must be between 0-124, 955-1023.\n");
 			return -EINVAL;
 		}
 		break;