diff --git a/src/Composer/Package/Loader/ArrayLoader.php b/src/Composer/Package/Loader/ArrayLoader.php
index 661013691..f5676705f 100644
--- a/src/Composer/Package/Loader/ArrayLoader.php
+++ b/src/Composer/Package/Loader/ArrayLoader.php
@@ -135,8 +135,10 @@ class ArrayLoader implements LoaderInterface
         }
 
         if (!empty($config['time'])) {
+            $time = ctype_digit($config['time']) ? '@'.$config['time'] : $config['time'];
+
             try {
-                $date = new \DateTime($config['time'], new \DateTimeZone('UTC'));
+                $date = new \DateTime($time, new \DateTimeZone('UTC'));
                 $package->setReleaseDate($date);
             } catch (\Exception $e) {
             }