diff --git a/Interlace/lib/threader.py b/Interlace/lib/threader.py
index cf5e9da..5786f4a 100644
--- a/Interlace/lib/threader.py
+++ b/Interlace/lib/threader.py
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ def run_task(task):
 
 class Pool(object):
     def __init__(self, max_workers, queue, timeout, output):
+        
+        # convert stdin input to integer
+        max_workers = int(max_workers)
 
         # check if there are enough workers
         if max_workers <= 0: