     {
         // no-op if null; there must always be a selectedDate
         if (value == null)
-            value = new Date();
+            value = todayDate;
             
         // short-circuit if no change
         if (value.time == _selectedDate.time)

    {
        // no-op if null; there must always be a selectedDate
        if (value == null)
            value = new Date();
        
        // short-circuit if no change
        if (value.time == _selectedDate.time)

                    // last adjustment to make sure we didn't accidentally go below minDate
                    if (selectedDate.time < minDate.time)
                        _selectedDate.minutes += minuteStepSize;
                    
                    // make sure to use animation for this
                    useAnimationToSetSelectedDate = true;
                }
                
                minuteStepSizeChanged = false;
