diff --git a/pinax/notifications/hooks.py b/pinax/notifications/hooks.py
index 38f050e9..d215b121 100644
--- a/pinax/notifications/hooks.py
+++ b/pinax/notifications/hooks.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def notice_setting_for_user(self, user, notice_type, medium, scoping=None):
                     "scoping_content_type": None,
                     "scoping_object_id": None
                 })
-            default = (NOTICE_MEDIA_DEFAULTS[medium] <= notice_type.default)
+            default = (NOTICE_MEDIA_DEFAULTS[str(medium)] <= notice_type.default)
             kwargs.update({"send": default})
             setting = user.noticesetting_set.create(**kwargs)
             return setting