diff --git a/src/anemoi/inference/inputs/ekd.py b/src/anemoi/inference/inputs/ekd.py
index 7cd99167..c24e4585 100644
--- a/src/anemoi/inference/inputs/ekd.py
+++ b/src/anemoi/inference/inputs/ekd.py
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ def _create_input_state(
         self,
         input_fields: ekd.FieldList,
         *,
-        date: Date,
+        date: Optional[Date] = None,
         variables: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         latitudes: Optional[FloatArray] = None,
         longitudes: Optional[FloatArray] = None,
@@ -362,10 +362,16 @@ def _create_input_state(
         State
             The created input state.
         """
+        if date is None:
+            date = input_fields.order_by(valid_datetime="ascending")[-1].datetime()["valid_time"]
+            LOG.info(
+                "%s: `date` not provided, using the most recent date: %s", self.__class__.__name__, date.isoformat()
+            )
+
         # TODO: where we do this might change in the future
         date = to_datetime(date)
-
         dates = [date + h for h in self.checkpoint.lagged]
+
         return self._create_state(
             input_fields,
             variables=variables,