diff --git a/common/static/js/spec_helpers/edx.utils.validate.js b/common/static/js/spec_helpers/edx.utils.validate.js
index 5215337f0c..f478219004 100644
--- a/common/static/js/spec_helpers/edx.utils.validate.js
+++ b/common/static/js/spec_helpers/edx.utils.validate.js
@@ -131,9 +131,9 @@ var edx = edx || {};
                                 };
 
                                 if ( key === 'min' ) {
-                                    obj.context.count = $el.attr('minlength');
+                                    obj.context.count = parseInt( $el.attr('minlength'), 10 );
                                 } else if ( key === 'max' ) {
-                                    obj.context.count = $el.attr('maxlength');
+                                    obj.context.count = parseInt( $el.attr('maxlength'), 10 );
                                 }
                             }