diff --git a/qupulse/utils/__init__.py b/qupulse/utils/__init__.py
index 8655cd15..fa571537 100644
--- a/qupulse/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/qupulse/utils/__init__.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 from qupulse.expressions import ExpressionScalar, ExpressionLike
 
 import numpy
+import sympy as sp
 
 try:
     from math import isclose
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@ def forced_hash(obj) -> int:
 
 
 def to_next_multiple(sample_rate: ExpressionLike, quantum: int,
-                     min_quanta: Optional[int] = None) -> Callable[[ExpressionLike],ExpressionScalar]:
+                     min_quanta: Optional[int] = None) -> Callable[[ExpressionScalar], ExpressionLike]:
     """Construct a helper function to expand a duration to one corresponding to
     valid sample multiples according to the arguments given.
     Useful e.g. for PulseTemplate.pad_to's 'to_new_duration'-argument.
@@ -140,17 +141,34 @@ def to_next_multiple(sample_rate: ExpressionLike, quantum: int,
         quantum: number of samples to whose next integer multiple the duration shall be rounded up to.
         min_quanta: number of multiples of quantum not to fall short of.
     Returns:
-        A function that takes a duration (ExpressionLike) as input, and returns
+        A function that takes a duration as input, and returns
         a duration rounded up to the next valid samples count in given sample rate.
         The function returns 0 if duration==0, <0 is not checked if min_quanta is None.
 
     """
     sample_rate = ExpressionScalar(sample_rate)
+
     #is it more efficient to omit the Max call if not necessary?
     if min_quanta is None:
         #double negative for ceil division.
         return lambda duration: -(-(duration*sample_rate)//quantum) * (quantum/sample_rate)
     else:
-        #still return 0 if duration==0
-        return lambda duration: ExpressionScalar(f'{quantum}/({sample_rate})*Max({min_quanta},-(-({duration})*{sample_rate}//{quantum}))*Max(0, sign({duration}))')
-   
\ No newline at end of file
+        # work with sympy
+        sample_rate = sample_rate.sympified_expression
+        duration_per_quantum = sp.Integer(quantum) / sample_rate
+        minimal_duration = duration_per_quantum * min_quanta
+
+        def build_next_multiple(duration: ExpressionScalar) -> ExpressionLike:
+            duration = sp.sympify(duration)
+            n_quanta = sp.ceiling(duration / duration_per_quantum)
+            rounded_up_duration = n_quanta * duration_per_quantum
+
+            next_multiple_sp = sp.Piecewise(
+                (0, sp.Le(n_quanta, 0)),
+                (minimal_duration, sp.Le(n_quanta, min_quanta)),
+                (rounded_up_duration, True),
+                evaluate=False,
+            )
+            return ExpressionScalar(next_multiple_sp)
+
+        return build_next_multiple
diff --git a/tests/utils/utils_tests.py b/tests/utils/utils_tests.py
index 3675109a..a6d880e8 100644
--- a/tests/utils/utils_tests.py
+++ b/tests/utils/utils_tests.py
@@ -120,12 +120,22 @@ def test_to_next_multiple(self):
         self.assertEqual(evaluated, expected)
         
         duration = 6185240.0000001
-        evaluated = to_next_multiple(sample_rate=1.0,quantum=16,min_quanta=13)(duration)
+        evaluated = to_next_multiple(sample_rate=1.0,quantum=16,min_quanta=13)(duration).evaluate_numeric()
         expected = 6185248
         self.assertEqual(evaluated, expected)
         
+        duration = 63.99
+        evaluated = to_next_multiple(sample_rate=1.0,quantum=16,min_quanta=4)(duration).evaluate_numeric()
+        expected = 64
+        self.assertEqual(evaluated, expected)
+        
+        duration = 64.01
+        evaluated = to_next_multiple(sample_rate=1.0,quantum=16,min_quanta=4)(duration).evaluate_numeric()
+        expected = 80
+        self.assertEqual(evaluated, expected)
+        
         duration = 0.
-        evaluated = to_next_multiple(sample_rate=1.0,quantum=16,min_quanta=13)(duration)
+        evaluated = to_next_multiple(sample_rate=1.0,quantum=16,min_quanta=13)(duration).evaluate_numeric()
         expected = 0.
         self.assertEqual(evaluated, expected)
         
@@ -139,12 +149,18 @@ def test_to_next_multiple(self):
                         dict(q=3.14159,w=1.0))
         expected = 16.
         self.assertEqual(evaluated, expected)
-        
-        #bracket silent bug
-        duration = ExpressionScalar('51 + q*51')
-        evaluated = to_next_multiple(sample_rate=1.0,quantum=16,min_quanta=1)(duration).evaluate_in_scope(
-                        dict(q=3.14159,))
-        expected = 224.
-        self.assertEqual(evaluated, expected)
-        
-        
\ No newline at end of file
+
+
+def test_to_next_multiple_padding_duration_evaluation(benchmark):
+    # reminder how to manually run pytest tests:
+    # use pytest -k test_to_next_multiple_padding_duration_evaluation
+    # or for faster collection phase
+    # pytest -k test_to_next_multiple_padding_duration_evaluation tests/utils/utils_tests.py
+
+    from qupulse.pulses import FunctionPT
+    pt = FunctionPT('start+t/t_gate*(end-start)', 't_gate', 'a')
+
+    def padding():
+        pt.pad_to(to_next_multiple(2.4, 16, 4)).duration.evaluate_in_scope({'t_gate': 10.})
+
+    benchmark(padding)