diff --git a/src/hamster/edit_activity.py b/src/hamster/edit_activity.py
index 72ddc4c1..06f346e4 100644
--- a/src/hamster/edit_activity.py
+++ b/src/hamster/edit_activity.py
@@ -242,7 +242,8 @@ def on_start_date_changed(self, widget):
                     # preserve fact duration
                     self.fact.end_time += delta
                     self.end_date.date = self.fact.end_time
-            self.date = self.fact.date or dt.hday.today()
+            self._date = self.fact.date or dt.hday.today()
+            self.cmdline.default_day = self._date
             self.validate_fields()
             self.update_cmdline()