diff --git a/extension/widgets/ongoingFactEntry.js b/extension/widgets/ongoingFactEntry.js
index 688aa6beae90..d8c454f5dddc 100644
--- a/extension/widgets/ongoingFactEntry.js
+++ b/extension/widgets/ongoingFactEntry.js
@@ -70,7 +70,12 @@ class OngoingFactEntry extends St.Entry {
      */
     _onEntryActivated() {
         let text = this.get_text();
-        this._controller.apiProxy.AddFactRemote(text, 0, 0, false, function(response, error) {
+        let now = new Date();
+        let start = now.valueOf()/1000 - now.getTimezoneOffset() * 60;
+        // round down - hamster seems to not like us otherwise
+        start = Math.trunc(start / 60);
+        start *= 60;
+        this._controller.apiProxy.AddFactRemote(text, start, 0, false, function(response, error) {
             // not interested in the new id - this shuts up the warning
 	}.bind(this));
         this.set_text('');