diff --git a/duckling/duckling.py b/duckling/duckling.py
index d7b5543..453108a 100644
--- a/duckling/duckling.py
+++ b/duckling/duckling.py
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ def _start_jvm(self, minimum_heap_size, maximum_heap_size):
         if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
             jpype.startJVM(
                 jpype.getDefaultJVMPath(),
+		convertStrings=True,
                 *jvm_options
             )