def get_dataset_date_as_datetime(self):
        # type: () -> Optional[datetime]
        """Get dataset date as datetime.datetime object. For range returns start date.

        Returns:
            Optional[datetime.datetime]: Dataset date in datetime object or None if no date is set
        """
        dataset_date = self.data.get('dataset_date', None)
        if dataset_date:
            if '-' in dataset_date:
                dataset_date = dataset_date.split('-')[0]
            return datetime.strptime(dataset_date, '%m/%d/%Y')
        else:
            return None