diff --git a/parsers/survex.py b/parsers/survex.py
index 70fc987..5394de6 100644
--- a/parsers/survex.py
+++ b/parsers/survex.py
@@ -739,7 +739,10 @@ class LoadingSurvex:
             print(f"  {survexblock.survexfile=}")
             # raise
             
-        setdate_on_survexblock(year)
+        if year:
+            setdate_on_survexblock(year)
+        else:
+            setdate_on_survexblock("1970")
         if survexblock.date:
             # do not actually need a distict variable 'currentdate' but it makes the code clearer
             self.currentdate = survexblock.date