diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/files_for_e3sm/e3sm_to_cmip_maps.py b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/files_for_e3sm/e3sm_to_cmip_maps.py
index 6071b2ac2b..618b8f2d0b 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/files_for_e3sm/e3sm_to_cmip_maps.py
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/files_for_e3sm/e3sm_to_cmip_maps.py
@@ -49,8 +49,7 @@ def run(self):
         Run this step of the testcase
         """
         super().run()
-        # more verbose creation date for clarity
-        creation_date = f'20{self.creation_date}'
+        creation_date = self.creation_date
         make_e3sm_to_cmip_maps(self.config, self.logger, self.mesh_short_name,
                                creation_date, self.ntasks)