diff --git a/templates/deb_release.erb b/templates/deb_release.erb
index 72a1a9f..19c1ed5 100644
--- a/templates/deb_release.erb
+++ b/templates/deb_release.erb
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-Date: <%= date %>
+Date: <%= date.rfc2822 %>
 Suite: <%= release %>
 <% if origin -%>
 Origin: <%= origin %>