diff --git a/news/article.rb b/news/article.rb
index cbfe52a..5df84ef 100644
--- a/news/article.rb
+++ b/news/article.rb
@@ -331,7 +331,8 @@ def get_articles(cachedir=false)
 					art[id] = {} unless art.has_key?(id)
 
 					begin
-						lastdate = art[id]["date"] = DateTime.parse(date).strftime('%Y%m%d')
+						lastdate = DateTime.parse(date)
+						art[id]["date"] = DateTime.parse(date).strftime('%Y%m%d')
 					rescue
 						puts $!.message
 						puts id
@@ -361,7 +362,7 @@ def get_articles(cachedir=false)
 					end
 				}
 				if @maxage and @maxage > 0
-					if DateTime.parse(lastdate) < ( DateTime.now - @maxage )
+					if lastdate < ( DateTime.now - @maxage )
 						puts "Skipping articles older than #{DateTime.now - @maxage}"
 						break
 					end