diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Entities/BaseItem.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Entities/BaseItem.cs
index b4765759cb..7bcd3db912 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Entities/BaseItem.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Entities/BaseItem.cs
@@ -852,12 +852,12 @@ namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Entities
                 throw new ArgumentNullException("user");
             }
 
-            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(user.Configuration.MaxParentalRating))
+            if (user.Configuration.MaxParentalRating == null)
             {
                 return true;
             }
 
-            return Ratings.Level(CustomRating ?? OfficialRating) <= Ratings.Level(user.Configuration.MaxParentalRating);
+            return Ratings.Level(CustomRating ?? OfficialRating) <= user.Configuration.MaxParentalRating.Value;
         }
 
         /// <summary>
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Model/Configuration/UserConfiguration.cs b/MediaBrowser.Model/Configuration/UserConfiguration.cs
index be784d1c60..deb6fdb3d2 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Model/Configuration/UserConfiguration.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Model/Configuration/UserConfiguration.cs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ namespace MediaBrowser.Model.Configuration
         /// Gets or sets the max parental rating.
         /// </summary>
         /// <value>The max parental rating.</value>
-        public string MaxParentalRating { get; set; }
+        public int? MaxParentalRating { get; set; }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Gets or sets a value indicating whether [use custom library].