diff --git a/agent_service/agents/master_agent.py b/agent_service/agents/master_agent.py
index 075e14a..59bc233 100644
--- a/agent_service/agents/master_agent.py
+++ b/agent_service/agents/master_agent.py
@@ -70,6 +70,10 @@ class MasterAgent:
         return template.format(agent_list=agent_list)
 
     async def handle_message(self, user_id, channel_id, message, directive_id) -> MasterResponse:
+        try:
+            user_id = int(user_id)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            pass
         logger.info('MasterAgent.handle_message user_id=%s directive=%s', user_id, directive_id)
         t0 = time.monotonic()
         await self._log_directive_start(directive_id, user_id, channel_id, message)