diff --git a/static/js/annotation.js b/static/js/annotation.js
index d0d26b1..66da474 100644
--- a/static/js/annotation.js
+++ b/static/js/annotation.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 oml.ui.annotation = function(data, $iframe) {
+    data.created = data.created || (new Date).toISOString();
     var $arrayEditable = Ox.ArrayEditable({
         editing: true,
         type: 'textarea'