diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/commands.py b/lib/python/qmk/commands.py
index 7a067a7da6..495854c588 100644
--- a/lib/python/qmk/commands.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/commands.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def create_make_command(keyboard, keymap, target=None, parallel=1, silent=False,
 
     if parallel > 1:
         make_cmd.append('-j')
-        make_cmd.append(parallel)
+        make_cmd.append(str(parallel))
 
     if target:
         make_cmd.append(target)