diff --git a/apps/search/management/commands/index_stories.py b/apps/search/management/commands/index_stories.py
index 679ec0fee..da56b1770 100644
--- a/apps/search/management/commands/index_stories.py
+++ b/apps/search/management/commands/index_stories.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from apps.reader.models import UserSubscription
 class Command(BaseCommand):
 
     def add_arguments(self, parser):
-        parser.add_argument("-u", "--user", dest="user", nargs=1, help="Specify user id or username")
+        parser.add_argument("-u", "--user", dest="user", nargs=1, type=str, help="Specify user id or username")
         parser.add_argument("-R", "--reindex", dest="reindex", action="store_true", help="Drop index and reindex all stories.")