diff --git a/tmtcc.py b/tmtcc.py
index 52db7f5..473aeb3 100755
--- a/tmtcc.py
+++ b/tmtcc.py
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ def setup_params() -> (SetupWrapper, int):
         post_arg_parsing_wrapper.set_params_with_prompts(proc_param_wrapper)
     else:
         post_arg_parsing_wrapper.set_params_without_prompts(proc_param_wrapper)
-    hk_level = post_arg_parsing_wrapper.args_raw.hk
+    hk_level = int(post_arg_parsing_wrapper.args_raw.hk)
     params.apid = PUS_APID
     if params.com_if is None:
         raise ValueError("could not determine a COM interface.")