diff --git a/workshift/views.py b/workshift/views.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/workshift/views.py
+++ b/workshift/views.py
@@ -100,6 +100,8 @@ def add_workshift_context(request):
                 workshift_emails=workshift_email_str,
                 ))
 
+    today = now().date()
+
     if current_semester:
         # number of days passed in this semester
         days_passed = (today - current_semester.start_date).days
@@ -124,8 +126,6 @@ def add_workshift_context(request):
 
     workshift_manager = utils.can_manage(request.user, semester=SEMESTER)
 
-    today = now().date()
-
     # TODO figure out how to get pool standing out to the template
     upcoming_shifts = WorkshiftInstance.objects.filter(
         workshifter=workshift_profile,
Fixed variable being referenced before initialization