diff --git a/python/ray/_private/runtime_env/packaging.py b/python/ray/_private/runtime_env/packaging.py
index abf854315155..7e386dba8607 100644
--- a/python/ray/_private/runtime_env/packaging.py
+++ b/python/ray/_private/runtime_env/packaging.py
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ def _zip_directory(
         directory inside the zip file.
     """
     pkg_file = Path(output_path).absolute()
-    with ZipFile(pkg_file, "w") as zip_handler:
+    with ZipFile(pkg_file, "w", strict_timestamps=False) as zip_handler:
         # Put all files in the directory into the zip file.
         dir_path = Path(directory).absolute()
 
diff --git a/python/ray/tests/test_runtime_env_working_dir_2.py b/python/ray/tests/test_runtime_env_working_dir_2.py
index b70f2536f552..9fc3a9e70b4c 100644
--- a/python/ray/tests/test_runtime_env_working_dir_2.py
+++ b/python/ray/tests/test_runtime_env_working_dir_2.py
@@ -279,6 +279,28 @@ def g():
     ray.get(refs)
 
 
+def test_file_created_before_1980(shutdown_only, tmp_working_dir):
+    # Make sure working_dir supports file created before 1980
+    # https://github.com/ray-project/ray/issues/46379
+    working_path = Path(tmp_working_dir)
+    file_1970 = working_path / "1970"
+    with file_1970.open(mode="w") as f:
+        f.write("1970")
+    os.utime(
+        file_1970,
+        (0, 0),
+    )
+
+    ray.init(runtime_env={"working_dir": tmp_working_dir})
+
+    @ray.remote
+    def task():
+        with open("1970") as f:
+            assert f.read() == "1970"
+
+    ray.get(task.remote())
+
+
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     if os.environ.get("PARALLEL_CI"):
         sys.exit(pytest.main(["-n", "auto", "--boxed", "-vs", __file__]))