diff --git a/layouts/partials/helpers/publish-date.html b/layouts/partials/helpers/publish-date.html
index e490423e..7c9f40f0 100644
--- a/layouts/partials/helpers/publish-date.html
+++ b/layouts/partials/helpers/publish-date.html
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 {{- $date := .root.Date | default .root.Lastmod }}
+{{- $date_format := .root.Site.Params.date_format | default "2006-01-02" }}
+
 {{- if not (eq .badge false) }}
   <span class="publish-date badge mr-1
     {{- if (eq $.background "dark") -}}
@@ -7,7 +9,7 @@
       {{- printf " badge-%s" "primary" -}}
     {{- end -}}">
     <time datetime="{{ $date }}" itemprop="datePublished dateModified">
-      {{- $date.Format ($.site.Params.date_format | default "2006-01-02") -}}
+      {{- $date.Format $date_format -}}
     </time>
   </span>
 {{- else }}
@@ -16,7 +18,7 @@
       {{- printf " badge-%s" "light" -}}
     {{- end -}}">
     <time datetime="{{ $date }}" itemprop="datePublished dateModified">
-      {{- $date.Format ($.site.Params.date_format | default "2006-01-02") -}}
+      {{- $date.Format $date_format -}}
     </time>
   </span>
 {{- end -}}