diff --git a/db/seeds/backer.rb b/db/seeds/backer.rb
index b9d0a1689..bc5039aa1 100644
--- a/db/seeds/backer.rb
+++ b/db/seeds/backer.rb
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ def create
   config = YAML.load_file(File.dirname(__FILE__) + '/../../config/deploy_config.yml') 
   backer_info = config['servers']['backer']
 
-  backer_number = YAML.load_file(Rails.root.join('config','backer_number.yml'))['seed_number']
+  backer_number = YAML.load_file(Rails.root.join('config','backer_number.yml'))[:seed_number].to_i
   # Create seed user
   username = backer_info[backer_number]['username'].gsub(/ /,'').downcase
   user = User.create( :email => "#{username}@#{username}.joindiaspora.com",