diff --git a/joint_teapot/teapot.py b/joint_teapot/teapot.py
index 25ad8bd..21d9023 100644
--- a/joint_teapot/teapot.py
+++ b/joint_teapot/teapot.py
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ class Teapot:
                     f"[{end_time + timedelta(seconds=1)}, {penalty_end_time}].\n",
                     True,
                 )
-            else:
+            elif now > end_time:
                 return (
                     "### Submission Time Check Passed\n"
                     f"Current time {now} is not in the valid range "
diff --git a/joint_teapot/utils/joj3.py b/joint_teapot/utils/joj3.py
index 4e7d355..7c225ac 100644
--- a/joint_teapot/utils/joj3.py
+++ b/joint_teapot/utils/joj3.py
@@ -305,8 +305,10 @@ def get_penalty_factor(
 ) -> float:
     if not end_time or not penalty_config:
         return 1.0
-    penalties = parse_penalty_config(penalty_config)
     now = datetime.now()
+    if now < end_time:
+        return 1.0
+    penalties = parse_penalty_config(penalty_config)
     res = 0.0
     for hour, factor in penalties[::-1]:
         if now < end_time + timedelta(hours=hour):