diff --git a/lib/rss/maker/base.rb b/lib/rss/maker/base.rb
index 36860032da..0f2fc11103 100644
--- a/lib/rss/maker/base.rb
+++ b/lib/rss/maker/base.rb
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ module RSS
         self.date ||= self.dc_date
         super
       ensure
-        date = keep[:date]
+        self.date = keep[:date]
         dc_dates.replace(keep[:dc_dates])
       end