SQL Loader and Date fields

I am trying to use SQL Loader to load data into a table which contains date fields. One of the date fields has no data but this is not a required field. When I run the load I get an error that complains about date range on the empty date field. If I change the field in the control file from date to char the load works fine. Again the entire date field is blank. Why the error?

Ron Smith
Database Administration
rlsmith_at_kmg.com Received on Fri Dec 15 2000 - 14:53:40 CST