diff --git a/dev-api.py b/dev-api.py
index 06e092e..625d129 100644
--- a/dev-api.py
+++ b/dev-api.py
@@ -4192,6 +4192,7 @@ class MessageCreateBody(BaseModel):
     from_addr: Optional[str] = None
     to_addr: Optional[str] = None
     template_id: Optional[int] = None
+    logged_at: Optional[str] = None
 
 
 class TemplateCreateBody(BaseModel):
diff --git a/scripts/messaging.py b/scripts/messaging.py
index 2d5fb3f..b2a2363 100644
--- a/scripts/messaging.py
+++ b/scripts/messaging.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ def create_message(
     from_addr: Optional[str],
     to_addr: Optional[str],
     template_id: Optional[int],
+    logged_at: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> dict:
     """Insert a new message row and return it as a dict."""
     con = _connect(db_path)
@@ -55,12 +56,12 @@ def create_message(
             """
             INSERT INTO messages
                 (job_id, job_contact_id, type, direction, subject, body,
-                 from_addr, to_addr, template_id)
+                 from_addr, to_addr, logged_at, template_id)
             VALUES
-                (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+                (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
             """,
             (job_id, job_contact_id, type, direction, subject, body,
-             from_addr, to_addr, template_id),
+             from_addr, to_addr, logged_at or _now_utc(), template_id),
         )
         con.commit()
         row = con.execute(
diff --git a/web/src/components/MessageLogModal.vue b/web/src/components/MessageLogModal.vue
index 71120a3..7b5ecee 100644
--- a/web/src/components/MessageLogModal.vue
+++ b/web/src/components/MessageLogModal.vue
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
       v-if="show"
       class="modal-backdrop"
       @click.self="emit('close')"
-      @keydown.esc="emit('close')"
     >
       <div
         ref="dialogEl"
@@ -14,6 +13,7 @@
         aria-modal="true"
         :aria-label="title"
         tabindex="-1"
+        @keydown.esc="emit('close')"
       >
         <header class="modal-header">
           <h2 class="modal-title">{{ title }}</h2>
@@ -93,21 +93,20 @@ const title = computed(() =>
   props.type === 'call_note' ? 'Log a call' : 'Log an in-person note'
 )
 
-const now = new Date()
-const localNow = new Date(now.getTime() - now.getTimezoneOffset() * 60000)
-  .toISOString()
-  .slice(0, 16)
-
 const form = ref({
   direction: '',
   subject: '',
   body: '',
-  logged_at: localNow,
+  logged_at: '',
 })
 
-// Focus the dialog when it opens
+// Focus the dialog when it opens; compute localNow fresh each time
 watch(() => props.show, async (val) => {
   if (val) {
+    const now = new Date()
+    const localNow = new Date(now.getTime() - now.getTimezoneOffset() * 60000)
+      .toISOString()
+      .slice(0, 16)
     error.value = null
     form.value = { direction: '', subject: '', body: '', logged_at: localNow }
     await nextTick()
@@ -129,6 +128,7 @@ async function handleSubmit() {
     from_addr: null,
     to_addr: null,
     template_id: null,
+    logged_at: form.value.logged_at || undefined,
   })
   saving.value = false
   if (result) emit('saved')
diff --git a/web/src/stores/messaging.ts b/web/src/stores/messaging.ts
index 28f8748..df02a71 100644
--- a/web/src/stores/messaging.ts
+++ b/web/src/stores/messaging.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ export const useMessagingStore = defineStore('messaging', () => {
     templates.value = data ?? []
   }
 
-  async function createMessage(payload: Omit<Message, 'id' | 'logged_at' | 'approved_at' | 'osprey_call_id'>) {
+  async function createMessage(payload: Omit<Message, 'id' | 'approved_at' | 'osprey_call_id'> & { logged_at?: string }) {
     saving.value = true
     error.value = null
     const { data, error: fetchErr } = await useApiFetch<Message>(