diff --git a/lib/holidays.rb b/lib/holidays.rb
index c02612e..85f84ce 100644
--- a/lib/holidays.rb
+++ b/lib/holidays.rb
@@ -86,10 +86,20 @@ module Holidays
     # remove the timezone
     start_date = start_date.new_offset(0) if start_date.respond_to?(:new_offset)
     end_date = end_date.new_offset(0) if end_date.respond_to?(:new_offset)
-    
-    start_date = start_date.to_date if start_date.respond_to?(:to_date)
-    end_date = end_date.to_date if end_date.respond_to?(:to_date)
-    
+
+    # get simple dates
+    if start_date.respond_to?(:to_date)
+      start_date = start_date.to_date 
+    else
+      start_date = Date.civil(start_date.year, start_date.mon, start_date.mday)
+    end 
+
+    if end_date.respond_to?(:to_date)
+      end_date = end_date.to_date
+    else
+      end_date = Date.civil(end_date.year, end_date.mon, end_date.mday)
+    end 
+
     regions, observed, informal = parse_options(options)
     holidays = []
 
diff --git a/test/test_date.rb b/test/test_date.rb
index c4f9e77..fa631c9 100644
--- a/test/test_date.rb
+++ b/test/test_date.rb
@@ -107,7 +107,8 @@ class DateTests < Test::Unit::TestCase
   end
 
   def test_datetime_holiday?
-    assert DateTime.now.to_date.holiday?('test')
+    # in situations with activesupport
+    assert DateTime.now.to_date.holiday?('test') if DateTime.now.respond_to?(:to_date)
     assert DateTime.now.holiday?('test')
   end