diff --git a/src/follow.11ty.liquid b/src/follow.11ty.liquid
index a307e226..d1d1e26e 100644
--- a/src/follow.11ty.liquid
+++ b/src/follow.11ty.liquid
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ permalink: '/follow.json'
   "id": "{{ item.id }}",
   "title": "{{ item.title }}",
   "url": "{{ item.url }}",
-  "date_published": {{ item.date_published | date: "%m.%d.%Y" }}
+  "date_published": "{{ item.date_published | date: "%m.%d.%Y" }}"
   }{% if not forloop.last %},{% endif %}
 {% endfor %}
 ]