diff --git a/src/ert/config/queue_config.py b/src/ert/config/queue_config.py
index 1b06581d362..24936debf6a 100644
--- a/src/ert/config/queue_config.py
+++ b/src/ert/config/queue_config.py
@@ -199,7 +199,8 @@ def _validate_queue_driver_settings(
 ) -> None:
     for option_strings in queue_system_options:
         option_name = option_strings[0]
-        option_value = option_strings[1]
+        # this might come as a number already
+        option_value = str(option_strings[1])
         if option_value == "":  # This is equivalent to the option not being set
             continue
         if (