diff --git a/early-init.el b/early-init.el
index f553d4c..fc971ed 100644
--- a/early-init.el
+++ b/early-init.el
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
 ;;
 ;; it is possible there are more so probably the most recent one is the one to use.
 
-(if emacs-build-time
-    (setq elpaca-core-date (format-time-string "%Y%m%d" emacs-build-time)))
+(when emacs-build-time
+  (setq elpaca-core-date (format-time-string "%Y%m%d" emacs-build-time)))
 (defvar elpaca-installer-version 0.8)
 (defvar elpaca-directory (expand-file-name "elpaca/" user-emacs-directory))
 (defvar elpaca-builds-directory (expand-file-name "builds/" elpaca-directory))