diff --git a/core/msg_list.js b/core/msg_list.js
index e94f1bae..19d8f78c 100644
--- a/core/msg_list.js
+++ b/core/msg_list.js
@@ -315,9 +315,16 @@ exports.getModule = class MessageListModule extends (
                         let msgNum = 1;
                         self.config.messageList.forEach((listItem, index) => {
                             listItem.msgNum = msgNum++;
-                            listItem.ts = moment(listItem.modTimestamp).format(
-                                dateTimeFormat
-                            );
+                            try {
+                                listItem.ts = moment(listItem.modTimestamp).format(
+                                    dateTimeFormat
+                                );
+                            } catch (e) {
+                                self.client.log.warn(
+                                    `Error parsing "${listItem.modTimestamp}"; expected timestamp: ${e.message}`
+                                );
+                                listItem.ts = moment().format(dateTimeFormat);
+                            }
                             const isNew = _.isBoolean(listItem.isNew)
                                 ? listItem.isNew
                                 : listItem.messageId > self.lastReadId;