diff --git a/mastoapiv1.py b/mastoapiv1.py
index 258e69fb1..19155ebde 100644
--- a/mastoapiv1.py
+++ b/mastoapiv1.py
@@ -67,8 +67,7 @@ def _get_masto_api_v1account(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str) -> {}:
     image_url = remove_html(account_json['image']['url'])
     joined_date = "2016-10-05T10:30:00Z"
     if account_json.get('published'):
-        if 'T' in account_json['published']:
-            joined_date = remove_html(account_json['published'])
+        joined_date = account_json['published']
     masto_account_json = {
         "id": get_masto_api_v1id_from_nickname(nickname),
         "username": nickname,