A percussion piston for a rock drill machine having a pilot cylinder, a distributor and a pressure medium includes a control edge configurable to cause a change in the position of the distributor in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the percussion piston as the percussion piston moves in the impact direction (A) in relation to the pilot cylinder. The control edge of the percussion piston includes at least one notch provided on the outer periphery of the control edge and arranged to cause a start of a state change for the distributor before the control edge of the percussion piston passes by a corresponding control edge provided on the distributor or pilot cylinder