diff --git a/anki/cards.py b/anki/cards.py
index 8fd2bbcbb..599ef0ab5 100644
--- a/anki/cards.py
+++ b/anki/cards.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ cardsTable = Table(
 class Card(object):
     "A card."
 
-    def __init__(self, fact=None, cardModel=None):
+    def __init__(self, fact=None, cardModel=None, due=None):
         self.tags = u""
         self.id = genID()
         # new cards start as new & due
@@ -77,8 +77,11 @@ class Card(object):
         self.timerStarted = False
         self.timerStopped = False
         self.modified = time.time()
-        self.due = self.modified
-        self.combinedDue = self.modified
+        if due:
+            self.due = due
+        else:
+            self.due = self.modified
+        self.combinedDue = self.due
         if fact:
             self.fact = fact
         if cardModel:
diff --git a/anki/deck.py b/anki/deck.py
index d88b47943..16a61ce26 100644
--- a/anki/deck.py
+++ b/anki/deck.py
@@ -1033,7 +1033,8 @@ where type = 2 and priority in (1,2,3,4)""") or 0
 select count(id) from cards
 where factId = :fid and cardModelId = :cmid""",
                                  fid=fact.id, cmid=cardModel.id) == 0:
-                    card = anki.cards.Card(fact, cardModel)
+                    card = anki.cards.Card(
+                        fact, cardModel, due=fact.created+cardModel.ordinal)
                     self.updateCardTags([card.id])
                     self.updatePriority(card)
                     self.cardCount += 1