diff --git a/ashkelon/plugin.jelly b/ashkelon/plugin.jelly
index c2218f80..a8e948a5 100644
--- a/ashkelon/plugin.jelly
+++ b/ashkelon/plugin.jelly
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
         <description>${pom.description}</description>
         <publisher>${pom.organization.name}</publisher>
         <download_url>${pom.url}</download_url>
-        <release_date></release_date>
+        <release_date>2000-01-01T00:00:00.000</release_date>
         <version>${pom.currentVersion}</version>
         <j:forEach var="package" items="${packages}">
         	<package>${package}</package>