diff --git a/blocks/rss_client/classes/output/renderer.php b/blocks/rss_client/classes/output/renderer.php
index 7a03280fbdc..c18550ea09e 100644
--- a/blocks/rss_client/classes/output/renderer.php
+++ b/blocks/rss_client/classes/output/renderer.php
@@ -92,8 +92,11 @@ class renderer extends \plugin_renderer_base {
      * @return string
      */
     public function format_published_date($timestamp) {
-        return strftime(get_string('strftimerecentfull', 'langconfig'), $timestamp);
-        return date('j F Y, g:i a', $timestamp);
+        if (empty($timestamp)) {
+            return '';
+        } else {
+            return strftime(get_string('strftimerecentfull', 'langconfig'), $timestamp);
+        }
     }
 
     /**