diff --git a/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux.go b/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux.go
index 162195d8e..5713460e4 100644
--- a/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux.go
+++ b/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux.go
@@ -758,7 +758,7 @@ func initSystemdProps(spec *specs.Spec) ([]systemdDbus.Property, error) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("annotation %s=%s value parse error: %w", k, v, err)
 		}
 		// Check for Sec suffix.
-		if trimName := strings.TrimSuffix(name, "Sec"); len(trimName) < len(name) {
+		if trimName, ok := strings.CutSuffix(name, "Sec"); ok && len(trimName) > 0 {
 			// Check for a lowercase ascii a-z just before Sec.
 			if ch := trimName[len(trimName)-1]; ch >= 'a' && ch <= 'z' {
 				// Convert from Sec to USec.
diff --git a/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux_test.go b/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux_test.go
index e514b4f31..d415911fc 100644
--- a/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux_test.go
+++ b/libcontainer/specconv/spec_linux_test.go
@@ -749,6 +749,11 @@ func TestInitSystemdProps(t *testing.T) {
 			in:   inT{"org.systemd.property.FOOSec", "123"},
 			exp:  expT{false, "FOOSec", 123},
 		},
+		{
+			desc: "convert USec to Sec (short name)",
+			in:   inT{"org.systemd.property.Sec", "123"},
+			exp:  expT{false, "Sec", 123},
+		},
 		{
 			desc: "CollectMode",
 			in:   inT{"org.systemd.property.CollectMode", "'inactive-or-failed'"},