diff --git a/src/main/java/net/rcarz/jiraclient/Version.java b/src/main/java/net/rcarz/jiraclient/Version.java
index 3e1d156b..0ba531c8 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/rcarz/jiraclient/Version.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/rcarz/jiraclient/Version.java
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public FluentCreate released(boolean isReleased) {
          * @return <code>this</code>
          */
         public FluentCreate releaseDate(Date releaseDate) {
-            DateFormat df = new SimpleDateFormat("MM/dd/yyyy");
+            DateFormat df = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd");
             req.put("releaseDate", df.format(releaseDate));
             return this;
         }