diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_book.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_book.py
index ade6131d..a0fa0367 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_book.py
@@ -47,6 +47,39 @@ class BookViews(TestCase):
         )
         models.SiteSettings.objects.create()
 
+    def test_date_regression(self):
+        """ensure that creating a new book actually saves the published date fields
+
+        this was initially a regression due to using a custom date picker tag
+        """
+        first_published_date = "2021-04-20"
+        published_date = "2022-04-20"
+        self.local_user.groups.add(self.group)
+        view = views.EditBook.as_view()
+        form = forms.EditionForm(
+            {
+                "title": "New Title",
+                "last_edited_by": self.local_user.id,
+                "first_published_date": first_published_date,
+                "published_date": published_date,
+            }
+        )
+        request = self.factory.post("", form.data)
+        request.user = self.local_user
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.connectors.connector_manager.local_search"):
+            result = view(request)
+        result.render()
+
+        self.assertContains(
+            result,
+            f'<input type="date" name="first_published_date" class="input" id="id_first_published_date" value="{first_published_date}">',
+        )
+        self.assertContains(
+            result,
+            f'<input type="date" name="published_date" class="input" id="id_published_date" value="{published_date}">',
+        )
+
     def test_book_page(self):
         """ there are so many views, this just makes sure it LOADS """
         view = views.Book.as_view()