diff --git a/homeassistant/components/camera/__init__.py b/homeassistant/components/camera/__init__.py
index 10739a1c7bb..2ddab537acc 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/camera/__init__.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/camera/__init__.py
@@ -83,8 +83,8 @@ CAMERA_SERVICE_PLAY_STREAM = CAMERA_SERVICE_SCHEMA.extend({
 
 CAMERA_SERVICE_RECORD = CAMERA_SERVICE_SCHEMA.extend({
     vol.Required(CONF_FILENAME): cv.template,
-    vol.Optional(CONF_DURATION, default=30): int,
-    vol.Optional(CONF_LOOKBACK, default=0): int,
+    vol.Optional(CONF_DURATION, default=30): vol.Coerce(int),
+    vol.Optional(CONF_LOOKBACK, default=0): vol.Coerce(int),
 })
 
 WS_TYPE_CAMERA_THUMBNAIL = 'camera_thumbnail'