diff --git a/service.py b/service.py
index efa06bdf..ac0b8f74 100644
--- a/service.py
+++ b/service.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from utils import settings
 
 loghandler.config()
 log = logging.getLogger("EMBY.service")
-DELAY = int(settings('startupDelay'))
+DELAY = settings('startupDelay') or 0
 
 #################################################################################################
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     log.warn("Delaying emby startup by: %s sec...", DELAY)
 
     try:
-        if DELAY and xbmc.Monitor().waitForAbort(DELAY):
+        if DELAY and xbmc.Monitor().waitForAbort(int(DELAY)):
             raise RuntimeError("Abort event while waiting to start Emby for kodi")
         # Start the service
         Service().service_entry_point()