diff --git a/etl/hubspot/hubspot_deal_differ.py b/etl/hubspot/hubspot_deal_differ.py
index 7b2e70e27..c138182d9 100644
--- a/etl/hubspot/hubspot_deal_differ.py
+++ b/etl/hubspot/hubspot_deal_differ.py
@@ -215,7 +215,10 @@ class HubspotDealDiffer:
         if not HubspotDealDiffer._is_abri_condition_deal(new_deal, new_project):
             return False
 
-        return old_deal.expected_commencement_date is None
+        if old_deal.expected_commencement_date is not None:
+            return False
+
+        return parse_hs_date(new_deal.get("expected_commencement_date")) is not None
 
     @staticmethod
     def _is_abri_condition_deal(