diff --git a/cmd/minikube/cmd/config/config.go b/cmd/minikube/cmd/config/config.go
index 9fd3685354ce..c17d0d77fd87 100644
--- a/cmd/minikube/cmd/config/config.go
+++ b/cmd/minikube/cmd/config/config.go
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ var settings = []Setting{
 	},
 	{
 		name:        "cpus",
-		set:         SetInt,
+		set:         SetString,
 		validations: []setFn{IsValidCPUs},
 		callbacks:   []setFn{RequiresRestartMsg},
 	},