diff --git a/files/classes/volunteer_janitor.py b/files/classes/volunteer_janitor.py
index 69edf1c27..a8851e4e9 100644
--- a/files/classes/volunteer_janitor.py
+++ b/files/classes/volunteer_janitor.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class VolunteerJanitorRecord(Base):
     id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True)
     user_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey("users.id"), nullable=False)
     comment_id = Column(Integer, ForeignKey("comments.id"), nullable=False)
-    recorded_datetimez = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), default=0, nullable=False, server_default=now())
+    recorded_datetimez = Column(DateTime(timezone=True), nullable=False, server_default=now())
     """new rows have a default recorded_datetimez of the database server's `now()`"""
     result = Column(Enum(VolunteerJanitorResult), default=VolunteerJanitorResult.Pending, nullable=False)