diff --git a/includes/admin/class-sensei-learner-management.php b/includes/admin/class-sensei-learner-management.php
index 330f71c62e..926f9f1dc8 100644
--- a/includes/admin/class-sensei-learner-management.php
+++ b/includes/admin/class-sensei-learner-management.php
@@ -525,8 +525,8 @@ public function edit_date_started() {
 			exit( '' );
 		}
 
-		$mysql_date = gmdate( 'Y-m-d H:i:s', $date->getTimestamp() );
-		$updated    = (bool) update_comment_meta( $comment_id, 'start', $mysql_date, $date_started );
+		$formatted_date = gmdate( 'Y-m-d H:i:s', $date->getTimestamp() );
+		$updated    = (bool) update_comment_meta( $comment_id, 'start', $formatted_date, $date_started );
 
 		/**
 		 * Filter sensei_learners_learner_updated
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ public function edit_date_started() {
 			exit( '' );
 		}
 
-		exit( esc_html( $mysql_date ) );
+		exit( esc_html( $formatted_date ) );
 	}
 
 	/**