diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
index d5b508d6f6..1add987528 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class ImageHandler:
 
         self.display = vmConfig['platform'].get('display')
         self.xauthority = vmConfig['platform'].get('xauthority')
-        self.vncconsole = vmConfig['platform'].get('vncconsole')
+        self.vncconsole = int(vmConfig['platform'].get('vncconsole', 0))
         self.dmargs = self.parseDeviceModelArgs(vmConfig)
         self.pid = None
         rtc_timeoffset = vmConfig['platform'].get('rtc_timeoffset')