diff --git a/api/chalicelib/core/assist.py b/api/chalicelib/core/assist.py
index 4a7dbe9b8..18978e159 100644
--- a/api/chalicelib/core/assist.py
+++ b/api/chalicelib/core/assist.py
@@ -70,4 +70,4 @@ def is_live(project_id, session_id, project_key=None):
         print(connected_peers.text)
         return False
     connected_peers = connected_peers.json().get("data", [])
-    return session_id in connected_peers
+    return str(session_id) in connected_peers