diff --git a/lib/puppet/provider/sensu_handler/json.rb b/lib/puppet/provider/sensu_handler/json.rb
index 76bc9a2d1b..710e8d5901 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/provider/sensu_handler/json.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/provider/sensu_handler/json.rb
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ def socket
 
   def socket=(value)
     @conf['handlers'][resource[:name]]['socket'] = value
+    if @conf['handlers'][resource[:name]]['socket'].has_key?('port')
+      @conf['handlers'][resource[:name]]['socket']['port'] = @conf['handlers'][resource[:name]]['socket']['port'].to_i
+    end
   end
 
   def handlers