diff --git a/matrix_reminder_bot/bot_commands.py b/matrix_reminder_bot/bot_commands.py
index 877ec87..07332a5 100644
--- a/matrix_reminder_bot/bot_commands.py
+++ b/matrix_reminder_bot/bot_commands.py
@@ -65,7 +65,10 @@ def _parse_str_to_time(time_str: str, tz_aware: bool = True) -> datetime:
 
     # Disallow times in the past
     tzinfo = pytz.timezone(CONFIG.timezone)
-    if tzinfo.localize(time) < _get_datetime_now(CONFIG.timezone):
+    local_time = time
+    if not tz_aware:
+        local_time = tzinfo.localize(time)
+    if local_time < _get_datetime_now(CONFIG.timezone):
         raise CommandError(f"The given time '{time_str}' is in the past.")
 
     # Round datetime object to the nearest second for nicer display