diff --git a/src/datain.c b/src/datain.c
index 5d92e03f..bde677f3 100644
--- a/src/datain.c
+++ b/src/datain.c
@@ -704,8 +704,11 @@ data_file(const char *pth, const char *fnm)
 	     /* Note: Larry says a 2 digit year is always 19XX */
 	     if (year < 100) year += 1900;
 
+	     /* Compass uses 1901-01-01 when no date was specified. */
+	     if (year == 1901 && day == 1 && month == 1) goto compass_dat_no_date;
 	     pcs->meta->days1 = pcs->meta->days2 = days_since_1900(year, month, day);
 	 } else {
+compass_dat_no_date:
 	     pcs->meta->days1 = pcs->meta->days2 = -1;
 	 }
 	 pcs->declination = HUGE_REAL;
diff --git a/tests/backread.dat b/tests/backread.dat
index cc48b288..6f269f0b 100644
--- a/tests/backread.dat
+++ b/tests/backread.dat
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ DECLINATION: 0 FORMAT: DDDDLRUDLADB CORRECTIONS: 0.00 0.00 0.00
 
 Cave
 SURVEY NAME: D
-SURVEY DATE: 10 14 1986  COMMENT:Test newer format backsights
+SURVEY DATE: 1 1 1  COMMENT:Test newer format backsights
 SURVEY TEAM: 
 Us, Them
 DECLINATION: 0 FORMAT: DDDWLRUDLADadBF CORRECTIONS: 0.00 0.00 0.00 CORRECTIONS2: 1.0 -1.0
diff --git a/tests/backread.dump b/tests/backread.dump
index 2a26bd37..9a8e0013 100644
--- a/tests/backread.dump
+++ b/tests/backread.dump
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ VERSION 8
 SEPARATOR '.'
 --
 LEG 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 [] STYLE=NORMAL 1986.10.13
-LEG 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.59 2.15 0.52 [] STYLE=DIVING 1986.10.14
+LEG 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.59 2.15 0.52 [] STYLE=DIVING
 NODE 0.59 2.15 0.52 [D1] UNDERGROUND
 NODE 0.00 1.00 0.00 [C2] UNDERGROUND
 NODE 0.00 0.00 0.00 [C1] UNDERGROUND