diff --git a/module_citeq.lua b/module_citeq.lua
index b2dbb72..409f723 100644
--- a/module_citeq.lua
+++ b/module_citeq.lua
@@ -838,7 +838,7 @@ local function _cite_q (citeq_args)
 		end
 	end
 	for i, editor in pairs(names.editors or {}) do
-		if not editor.last and i <= (citeq_args['display-editors'] or editor_count) then
+		if not editor.last and i <= (tonumber (citeq_args['display-editors']) or tonumber (editor_count)) then
 			if editor.qid then
 				-- ignore anonymous
 				if editor.qid ~= 'Q4233718' then