diff --git a/dr.botzo.py b/dr.botzo.py
index 967eb0c..2c892fa 100755
--- a/dr.botzo.py
+++ b/dr.botzo.py
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ def sub_add_countdown(connection, event, nick, userhost, replypath, what, admin_
     if whats[0] == 'countdown' and len(whats) >= 4:
         if whats[1] == 'add':
             item = whats[2]
-            target = parse(' '.join(whats[3:]))
+            target = parse(' '.join(whats[3:]), default=datetime.now().replace(tzinfo=tzlocal()))
             if not config.has_section('countdown'):
                 config.add_section('countdown')