diff --git a/src/prestart.js b/src/prestart.js
index dcc64cf527..1d5a5146ab 100644
--- a/src/prestart.js
+++ b/src/prestart.js
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ function loadConfig(configFile) {
 	});
 	nconf.stores.env.readOnly = true;
 
-	nconf.set('runJobs', nconf.get('isPrimary') && !nconf.get('jobsDisabled'));
+	nconf.set('runJobs', nconf.get('isPrimary') === 'true' && !nconf.get('jobsDisabled'));
 }
 
 function versionCheck() {