diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index 7507a87ba..b58d36042 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ Template for new versions:
 
 ## Fixes
 - `gui/quickfort`: only print a help blueprint's text once even if the repeat setting is enabled
+- `control-panel`: fix setting numeric preferences from the commandline
 
 ## Misc Improvements
 - `control-panel`: Add realistic-melting tweak to control-panel registry
diff --git a/internal/control-panel/common.lua b/internal/control-panel/common.lua
index 21472c45c..922f05364 100644
--- a/internal/control-panel/common.lua
+++ b/internal/control-panel/common.lua
@@ -180,6 +180,9 @@ function set_preference(data, in_value)
     if expected_type == 'boolean' and type(value) ~= 'boolean' then
         value = argparse.boolean(value)
     end
+    if expected_type == "number" then
+        value = tonumber(value) or value
+    end
     local actual_type = type(value)
     if actual_type ~= expected_type then
         qerror(('"%s" has an unexpected value type: got: %s; expected: %s'):format(