diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/library.py b/src/calibre/gui2/library.py
index c0f8eac796..ed92b8b7c0 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/library.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/library.py
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ class DateDelegate(QStyledItemDelegate):
     def createEditor(self, parent, option, index):
         qde = QStyledItemDelegate.createEditor(self, parent, option, index)
         qde.setDisplayFormat('MM/dd/yyyy')
+        qde.setMinimumDate(QDate(100,1,1))
         return qde
 
 class BooksModel(QAbstractTableModel):