diff --git a/src/lib389/lib389/instance/options.py b/src/lib389/lib389/instance/options.py
index dcdc6d156c..e4310d716f 100644
--- a/src/lib389/lib389/instance/options.py
+++ b/src/lib389/lib389/instance/options.py
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ def __init__(self, log, section):
         self._helptext['replica_role'] = "Set the replication role.  Choose either 'supplier', 'hub', or 'consumer'"
 
         self._options['replica_id'] = "1"
-        self._type['replica_id'] = str
+        self._type['replica_id'] = int
         self._helptext['replica_id'] = "Set the unique replication identifier for this replica's database (suppliers only)"
 
         self._options['replica_binddn'] = "cn=replication manager,cn=config"