diff --git a/serving/fleet-manager/ui/src/lib/fmt.js b/serving/fleet-manager/ui/src/lib/fmt.js
index 690e643..7e5a342 100644
--- a/serving/fleet-manager/ui/src/lib/fmt.js
+++ b/serving/fleet-manager/ui/src/lib/fmt.js
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@
 export function relTime(iso) {
   if (!iso) return '—'
   const t = new Date(iso).getTime()
-  if (!t) return '—'
+  if (Number.isNaN(t)) return '—'
+  // Go's zero time (0001-01-01) serialises as a real string but parses to a
+  // pre-epoch instant — a born-but-never-reported host. Render it honestly.
+  if (t <= 0) return 'never'
   const s = Math.max(0, Math.round((Date.now() - t) / 1000))
   if (s < 60) return s + 's ago'
   if (s < 3600) return Math.floor(s / 60) + 'm ago'