diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
index 51e02b2cde..4c5b1cce27 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ class DateTimeEdit(QDateTimeEdit):
         self.setDateTime(now())
 
     def set_to_clear(self):
+        self.setDateTime(now())
         self.setDateTime(UNDEFINED_QDATETIME)
 
     def keyPressEvent(self, ev):