diff --git a/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/pilight.py b/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/pilight.py
index abffffe8651..de23baef884 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/pilight.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/binary_sensor/pilight.py
@@ -37,8 +37,10 @@ PLATFORM_SCHEMA = PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
     vol.Required(CONF_VARIABLE): cv.string,
     vol.Required(CONF_PAYLOAD): vol.Schema(dict),
     vol.Optional(CONF_NAME, default=DEFAULT_NAME): cv.string,
-    vol.Optional(CONF_PAYLOAD_ON, default='on'): cv.string,
-    vol.Optional(CONF_PAYLOAD_OFF, default='off'): cv.string,
+    vol.Optional(CONF_PAYLOAD_ON, default='on'): vol.Any(
+        cv.positive_int, cv.small_float, cv.string),
+    vol.Optional(CONF_PAYLOAD_OFF, default='off'): vol.Any(
+        cv.positive_int, cv.small_float, cv.string),
     vol.Optional(CONF_DISARM_AFTER_TRIGGER, default=False): cv.boolean,
     vol.Optional(CONF_RESET_DELAY_SEC, default=30): cv.positive_int
 })