diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
index 78ecdcd6c..f31ac7437 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ jobs:
       - run: npm start
       - name: Set date
         id: date_step
-        run: echo "DATE=\"$(date)\"" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        run: echo "today=$(date +'%Y-%m-%d')" >> $GITHUB_ENV
       - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
         with:
-          commit_message: "calendar updates ${{ steps.date_step.outputs.DATE }}"
+          commit_message: "calendar updates on ${{ env.today }}"