diff --git a/lisp/org-agenda.el b/lisp/org-agenda.el
index d2aa8f3f2..bfc3902fd 100644
--- a/lisp/org-agenda.el
+++ b/lisp/org-agenda.el
@@ -3474,7 +3474,9 @@ This ensures the export commands can easily use it."
     (when (setq tmp (plist-get props 'date))
       (when (integerp tmp) (setq tmp (calendar-gregorian-from-absolute tmp)))
       (let ((calendar-date-display-form
-             '(year "-" (string-pad month 2 ?0 'left) "-" (string-pad day 2 ?0 'left))))
+             '((format "%s-%.2d-%.2d" year
+                       (string-to-number month)
+                       (string-to-number day)))))
 	(setq tmp (calendar-date-string tmp)))
       (setq props (plist-put props 'date tmp)))
     (when (setq tmp (plist-get props 'day))