diff --git a/src/pandablocks_ioc/_tables.py b/src/pandablocks_ioc/_tables.py
index e076248c..619a5e2b 100644
--- a/src/pandablocks_ioc/_tables.py
+++ b/src/pandablocks_ioc/_tables.py
@@ -384,7 +384,9 @@ def __init__(
                 scalar_record = builder.mbbIn(
                     scalar_record_name,
                     *field_details.labels,
-                    initial_value=field_details.labels.index(initial_value),
+                    initial_value=field_details.labels.index(initial_value)
+                    if isinstance(initial_value, str)
+                    else initial_value,
                     DESC=scalar_record_desc,
                 )