diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/form/datepicker.js b/frontend/src/utils/form/datepicker.js
index fdc7e69e3..e30975402 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/form/datepicker.js
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/form/datepicker.js
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ export class Datepicker {
 
     // format the dates before submission
     element.form.addEventListener('submit', () => {
-      if (!this.datepickerInstance.select) return;
+      if (!this.datepickerInstance.select && !element.value) return;
       element.value = dateFormat(this.datepickerInstance.select, FORM_DATE_FORMAT);
     });
   }