diff --git a/NAERSTADMO.py b/NAERSTADMO.py
index 259d3fd4a5997f04c47ba6418701fa44d2cbf0cb..4df4d05e8787a87ca3073534bbfb9235f0849434 100644
--- a/NAERSTADMO.py
+++ b/NAERSTADMO.py
@@ -57,9 +57,9 @@ else:
 
 # Don't run if before start_date
 recurring_start_date = os.getenv("RECURRING_START_DATE")
-start_date = datetime.strptime(f"{year}-{recurring_start_date}", "%Y-%m-%d")
-if datetime.now() <= start_date:
-    logging.error(f"Today is before the configured start date of {start_date}. Exiting.")
+model_start_date = datetime.strptime(f"{year}-{recurring_start_date}", "%Y-%m-%d")
+if datetime.now() <= model_start_date:
+    logging.error(f"Today is before the configured start date of {model_start_date}. Exiting.")
     exit(0)
 
 
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ def create_dataset():
         last_final_date = file_date
 
     if last_final_date is None or last_final_date < file_date:
-        start_date = datetime.strptime(start_date, "%Y-%m-%d")
+        start_date = model_start_date
     if last_final_date is not None:
         start_date = datetime.strptime(last_final_date, "%Y-%m-%d") - timedelta(days=4)
     logging.info(