diff --git a/src/org/jruby/util/RubyDateFormat.java b/src/org/jruby/util/RubyDateFormat.java
index bfdc6b5d682..39c66dd751a 100644
--- a/src/org/jruby/util/RubyDateFormat.java
+++ b/src/org/jruby/util/RubyDateFormat.java
@@ -196,6 +196,11 @@ private void compilePattern(String pattern) {
                     case 'p':
                         compiledPattern.add(new Token(FORMAT_MERIDIAN));
                         break;
+                    case 'R':
+                        compiledPattern.add(new Token(FORMAT_HOUR));
+                        compiledPattern.add(new Token(FORMAT_STRING, ":"));
+                        compiledPattern.add(new Token(FORMAT_MINUTES));
+                        break;                        
                     case 'S':
                         compiledPattern.add(new Token(FORMAT_SECONDS));
                         break;