diff --git a/src.java/crosby/binary/BinaryParser.java b/src.java/crosby/binary/BinaryParser.java
index 7c148c0..d36dfeb 100644
--- a/src.java/crosby/binary/BinaryParser.java
+++ b/src.java/crosby/binary/BinaryParser.java
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public abstract class BinaryParser implements BlockReaderAdapter {
       } else
           return NODATE;
     }
-    public static final Date NODATE = new Date(0);
+    public static final Date NODATE = new Date(-1);
 
     /** Get a string based on the index used. 
      *