diff --git a/tiddl/core/api/models/resources.py b/tiddl/core/api/models/resources.py
index f316e67..a89f19f 100644
--- a/tiddl/core/api/models/resources.py
+++ b/tiddl/core/api/models/resources.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class Album(BaseModel):
     numberOfTracks: int
     numberOfVideos: int
     numberOfVolumes: int
-    releaseDate: datetime | str | None
+    releaseDate: datetime | None = None
     copyright: Optional[str] = None
     type: Literal["ALBUM", "SINGLE", "EP"]
     version: Optional[str] = None
diff --git a/tiddl/core/utils/format.py b/tiddl/core/utils/format.py
index 8b8cae0..b034cab 100644
--- a/tiddl/core/utils/format.py
+++ b/tiddl/core/utils/format.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ def generate_template_data(
             artists=", ".join(
                 a.name for a in (album.artists or []) if a.type == "MAIN"
             ),
-            date=album.releaseDate,
+            date=album.releaseDate or datetime.min,
             explicit=Explicit(getattr(album, "explicit", None)),
             master=UserFormat(
                 "HIRES_LOSSLESS" in album.mediaMetadata.tags and quality == "MAX"