diff --git a/scipost_django/submissions/refereeing_cycles.py b/scipost_django/submissions/refereeing_cycles.py
index 01b1528f3d2e58a7d493e600a3f71e80b8456a6d..394d453429ccc28318fe1b7b523fb81eed92e02d 100644
--- a/scipost_django/submissions/refereeing_cycles.py
+++ b/scipost_django/submissions/refereeing_cycles.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class BaseAction:
         timedelta = datetime.timedelta()
         deadline = datetime.timedelta()
 
-        if hasattr(obj, 'date_invited'):
+        if hasattr(obj, 'date_invited') and obj.date_invited:
             timedelta = timezone.now() - obj.date_invited
         if hasattr(obj, 'submission'):
             print