diff --git a/openssh/iptables-input.sls b/openssh/iptables-input.sls
index f7944cf..4385ee6 100644
--- a/openssh/iptables-input.sls
+++ b/openssh/iptables-input.sls
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {% from "openssh/map.jinja" import openssh with context %}
 {% set openssh_pillar = pillar.get('openssh', {}) %}
-{% set listen_port = salt['pillar.get']('openssh:listen_port', 22) %}
+{% set listen_port = salt['pillar.get']('openssh:listen_port', '22') %}
 
 sshd.iptables.input:
   iptables.insert: