diff --git a/usr.sbin/bsdinstall/scripts/time b/usr.sbin/bsdinstall/scripts/time
--- a/usr.sbin/bsdinstall/scripts/time
+++ b/usr.sbin/bsdinstall/scripts/time
@@ -36,29 +36,59 @@
 TZ="${BSDINSTALL_CHROOT}/etc/localtime"
 export TZ
 
-# Set date
-exec 5>&1
-DATE=$(bsddialog --backtitle "$OSNAME Installer" \
-	--title 'Time & Date' \
-	--ok-label 'Set Date' \
-	--cancel-label 'Skip' \
-	--default-no \
-	--date-format '%Y%m%d%H%M.%S' \
-	--calendar '' 0 40 \
-2>&1 1>&5) && date $DATE
-exec 5>&-
+set_datetime_auto()
+{
+	if ! host freebsd.pool.ntp.org >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+		return 1
+	fi
+	if ! f_yesno "Attempt to set the date and time automatically?"; then
+		return 1
+	fi
+	local ntperr
+	if ! ntperr=$(ntpdate freebsd.pool.ntp.org 2>&1 | sed 's/^.*\]: //'); then
+		f_show_info "Failed to set the date and time:
 
-# Set time
-exec 5>&1
-TIME=$(bsddialog --backtitle "$OSNAME Installer" \
-	--title 'Time & Date' \
-	--ok-label 'Set Time' \
-	--cancel-label 'Skip' \
-	--default-no \
-	--time-format '%H%M.%S' \
-	--timebox '' 0 40 \
-2>&1 1>&5) && date $TIME
-exec 5>&-
+${ntperr}"
+		return 1
+	fi
+	f_show_info "The date and time were successfully set."
+	return 0
+}
+
+set_datetime_manual()
+{
+	# Set date
+	exec 5>&1
+	local date
+	if date=$(bsddialog --backtitle "$OSNAME Installer" \
+		--title 'Time & Date' \
+		--ok-label 'Set Date' \
+		--cancel-label 'Skip' \
+		--default-no \
+		--date-format '%Y%m%d%H%M.%S' \
+		--calendar '' 0 40 \
+	    2>&1 1>&5); then
+		date ${date}
+	fi
+	exec 5>&-
+
+	# Set time
+	exec 5>&1
+	local time
+	if time=$(bsddialog --backtitle "$OSNAME Installer" \
+		--title 'Time & Date' \
+		--ok-label 'Set Time' \
+		--cancel-label 'Skip' \
+		--default-no \
+		--time-format '%H%M.%S' \
+		--timebox '' 0 40 \
+	    2>&1 1>&5); then
+		date ${time}
+	fi
+	exec 5>&-
+}
+
+set_datetime_auto || set_datetime_manual
 
 # Switch back
 if [ -n "$saved_TZ" ]; then