diff --git a/ui/widgets/datepicker.js b/ui/widgets/datepicker.js
index 441170c9778..41ca503db4b 100644
--- a/ui/widgets/datepicker.js
+++ b/ui/widgets/datepicker.js
@@ -1036,7 +1036,7 @@ $.extend( Datepicker.prototype, {
 		}
 
 		inst = this._getInst( target[ 0 ] );
-		inst.selectedDay = inst.currentDay = $( "a", td ).html();
+		inst.selectedDay = inst.currentDay = $( "a", td ).data( "date" );
 		inst.selectedMonth = inst.currentMonth = month;
 		inst.selectedYear = inst.currentYear = year;
 		this._selectDate( id, this._formatDate( inst,
@@ -1816,7 +1816,7 @@ $.extend( Datepicker.prototype, {
 							( printDate.getTime() === today.getTime() ? " ui-state-highlight" : "" ) +
 							( printDate.getTime() === currentDate.getTime() ? " ui-state-active" : "" ) + // highlight selected day
 							( otherMonth ? " ui-priority-secondary" : "" ) + // distinguish dates from other months
-							"' href='#'>" + printDate.getDate() + "</a>" ) ) + "</td>"; // display selectable date
+							"' href='#' data-date='" + printDate.getDate() + "'>" + printDate.getDate() + "</a>" ) ) + "</td>"; // display selectable date
 						printDate.setDate( printDate.getDate() + 1 );
 						printDate = this._daylightSavingAdjust( printDate );
 					}