diff --git a/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Question/Question.php b/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Question/Question.php
index 06464e135b..7d016ecea9 100644
--- a/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Question/Question.php
+++ b/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Question/Question.php
@@ -188,8 +188,11 @@ class Question
      */
     public function setMaxAttempts($attempts)
     {
-        if (null !== $attempts && $attempts < 1) {
-            throw new InvalidArgumentException('Maximum number of attempts must be a positive value.');
+        if (null !== $attempts) {
+            $attempts = (int) $attempts;
+            if ($attempts < 1) {
+                throw new InvalidArgumentException('Maximum number of attempts must be a positive value.');
+            }
         }
 
         $this->attempts = $attempts;