diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
index ab59783f24..a3c73d7cbc 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/custom_column_widgets.py
@@ -327,7 +327,6 @@ class DateTimeEdit(DateTimeEditBase):
         self.setDateTime(now())
 
     def set_to_clear(self):
-        self.setDateTime(now())
         self.setDateTime(UNDEFINED_QDATETIME)