diff --git a/frigate/app.py b/frigate/app.py
index 2f7541cf9c..ba82757f99 100644
--- a/frigate/app.py
+++ b/frigate/app.py
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ def shm_frame_count(self) -> int:
             return 0
 
         shm_frame_count = min(
-            os.environ.get(SHM_FRAMES_VAR, 50),
+            int(os.environ.get(SHM_FRAMES_VAR, "50")),
             int(available_shm / (cam_total_frame_size)),
         )