diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks.py
index 5504b6acbd..e7ab399ae9 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tasks.py
@@ -378,7 +378,8 @@ def award_course_certificate(self, username, course_run_key, certificate_availab
 
             # Date is being passed via JSON and is encoded in the EMCA date time string format. The rest of the code
             # expects a datetime.
-            certificate_available_date = datetime.strptime(certificate_available_date, VISIBLE_DATE_FORMAT)
+            if certificate_available_date:
+                certificate_available_date = datetime.strptime(certificate_available_date, VISIBLE_DATE_FORMAT)
 
             # Even in the cases where this task is called with a certificate_available_date, we still need to retrieve
             # the course overview because it's required to determine if we should use the certificate_available_date or
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_signals.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_signals.py
index 506dedfd52..a8006cfd3f 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_signals.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/tests/test_signals.py
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
 """
 This module contains tests for programs-related signals and signal handlers.
 """
-
+import datetime
 
 import mock
 from django.test import TestCase
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
+
+from common.djangoapps.student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.programs.signals import (
     handle_course_cert_awarded,
     handle_course_cert_changed,
@@ -20,7 +22,6 @@ from openedx.core.djangoapps.signals.signals import (
 )
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.site_configuration.tests.factories import SiteConfigurationFactory
 from openedx.core.djangolib.testing.utils import skip_unless_lms
-from common.djangoapps.student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 
 TEST_USERNAME = 'test-user'
 TEST_COURSE_KEY = CourseKey.from_string('course-v1:edX+test_course+1')
@@ -252,6 +253,7 @@ class CourseCertAvailableDateChangedReceiverTest(TestCase):
         return {
             'sender': self.__class__,
             'course_key': TEST_COURSE_KEY,
+            'available_date': datetime.datetime.now()
         }
 
     def test_signal_received(self, mock_enable_update, mock_is_learner_issuance_enabled, mock_task):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument