diff --git a/module/task/view/edit.html.php b/module/task/view/edit.html.php
index b750893a97..e1931015f9 100644
--- a/module/task/view/edit.html.php
+++ b/module/task/view/edit.html.php
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@
               </tr>
               <tr>
                 <th><?php echo $lang->task->realStarted;?></th>
-                <td><?php echo html::input('realStarted', $task->realStarted, "class='form-control form-datetime'");?></td>
+                <td><?php echo html::input('realStarted', helper::isZeroDate($task->realStarted) ? helper::now() : $task->realStarted, "class='form-control form-datetime'");?></td>
               </tr>
               <tr>
                 <th><?php echo $lang->task->finishedBy;?></th>