diff --git a/src/view.timeline.js b/src/view.timeline.js
index f49e119c..d00cb577 100644
--- a/src/view.timeline.js
+++ b/src/view.timeline.js
@@ -142,10 +142,7 @@ my.Timeline = Backbone.View.extend({
     var out = date.trim();
     out = out.replace(/(\d)th/g, '$1');
     out = out.replace(/(\d)st/g, '$1');
-    // parse a date in yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm format
-    var parts = out.match(/(\d+)/g);
-    out = new Date(parts[0],parts[1]-1,parts[2],parts[3],parts[4]);
-    out = moment(out);
+    out = out.trim() ? moment(out) : null;
     if (out.toDate() == 'Invalid Date') {
       return null;
     } else {