diff --git a/gramps/gen/lib/date.py b/gramps/gen/lib/date.py
index ff7164c19..f224e896a 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/lib/date.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/lib/date.py
@@ -1488,7 +1488,7 @@ class Date(object):
         return self.text
 
     def _zero_adjust_ymd(self, y, m, d):
-        year = max(y, 1)
+        year = y if y != 0 else 1
         month = max(m, 1)
         day = max(d, 1)
         return (year, month, day)