diff --git a/takahe/utils.py b/takahe/utils.py
index 21cc6bad..813eec14 100644
--- a/takahe/utils.py
+++ b/takahe/utils.py
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ class Takahe:
                 type="post",
                 subject_post=post,
                 subject_identity=identity,
-                defaults={"published": post_time},
+                defaults={"published": post_time or timezone.now()},
             )
         return post