diff --git a/simms/__init__.py b/simms/__init__.py
index 68cdeee..382021f 100644
--- a/simms/__init__.py
+++ b/simms/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = "1.0.5"
+__version__ = "1.0.6"
diff --git a/simms/casasm.py b/simms/casasm.py
index 655dae8..fed3094 100644
--- a/simms/casasm.py
+++ b/simms/casasm.py
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ def toFloat(val):
     # set date to today (start of observation) if not set by user
     # The actual start time will be set internally by CASA depending on when the field transits
     use_ha = False
-    if date is None:
+    if date in (None, "None"):
         td = time.gmtime()
         date = "UTC,{0:d}/{1:d}/{02:d}".format(td.tm_year, td.tm_mon, td.tm_mday)
         use_ha = True