diff --git a/mne/io/edf/edf.py b/mne/io/edf/edf.py
index 888db95c9a6..91a7632701d 100644
--- a/mne/io/edf/edf.py
+++ b/mne/io/edf/edf.py
@@ -1269,7 +1269,9 @@ def _read_gdf_header(fname, exclude, include=None):
             if patient["birthday"] != datetime(1, 1, 1, 0, 0, tzinfo=timezone.utc):
                 today = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc)
                 patient["age"] = today.year - patient["birthday"].year
-                today = today.replace(year=patient["birthday"].year)
+                # fudge the day by -1 if today happens to be a leap day
+                day = 28 if today.month == 2 and today.day == 29 else today.day
+                today = today.replace(year=patient["birthday"].year, day=day)
                 if today < patient["birthday"]:
                     patient["age"] -= 1
             else: