diff --git a/esphome/__main__.py b/esphome/__main__.py
index 86d529e1bf..dce041e5ac 100644
--- a/esphome/__main__.py
+++ b/esphome/__main__.py
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ def upload_program(config, args, host):
 
     from esphome import espota2
 
-    remote_port = ota_conf[CONF_PORT]
+    remote_port = int(ota_conf[CONF_PORT])
     password = ota_conf.get(CONF_PASSWORD, "")
 
     if (