diff --git a/solarmach/__init__.py b/solarmach/__init__.py
index 1134ede..fe9fcbb 100644
--- a/solarmach/__init__.py
+++ b/solarmach/__init__.py
@@ -1557,6 +1557,8 @@ def sc_distance(sc1, sc2, dtime):
         except ValueError:
             print(f"Unable to extract datetime from '{dtime}'. Please try a different format.")
             return np.nan*u.AU
+    else:
+        obstime = dtime
 
     # standardize body names (e.g. 'PSP' => 'Parker Solar Probe')
     try:
@@ -1572,13 +1574,13 @@ def sc_distance(sc1, sc2, dtime):
     try:
         sc1_coord = get_horizons_coord(sc1, obstime, None)
     except ValueError:
-        print(f"Unable to obtain position for '{sc1}' at {dtime}. Please try a different name or date.")
+        print(f"Unable to obtain position for '{sc1}' at {obstime}. Please try a different name or date.")
         return np.nan*u.AU
     #
     try:
         sc2_coord = get_horizons_coord(sc2, obstime, None)
     except ValueError:
-        print(f"Unable to obtain position for '{sc2}' at {dtime}. Please try a different name or date.")
+        print(f"Unable to obtain position for '{sc2}' at {obstime}. Please try a different name or date.")
         return np.nan*u.AU
 
     return sc1_coord.separation_3d(sc2_coord)
diff --git a/solarmach/tests/test.py b/solarmach/tests/test.py
index 325dac2..45b788c 100644
--- a/solarmach/tests/test.py
+++ b/solarmach/tests/test.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 import astropy
 import astropy.units as u
+import datetime as dt
 import matplotlib
 import numpy as np
 import pandas
@@ -99,6 +100,10 @@ def test_sc_distance():
     assert np.round(distance.value, 8) == 1.45237361
     assert distance.unit == u.AU
     #
+    distance = sc_distance('SolO', 'PSP', dt.date(2020, 12, 12))
+    assert np.round(distance.value, 8) == 1.45237361
+    assert distance.unit == u.AU
+    #
     distance = sc_distance('SolO', 'PSP', "2000/12/12")
     assert np.isnan(distance.value)
     assert distance.unit == u.AU