diff --git a/scripts/lib/CIME/case/case.py b/scripts/lib/CIME/case/case.py
index 30da248461b..8d91d071f9c 100644
--- a/scripts/lib/CIME/case/case.py
+++ b/scripts/lib/CIME/case/case.py
@@ -859,7 +859,7 @@ def configure(self, compset_name, grid_name, machine_name=None,
 
         self._setup_mach_pes(pecount, multi_driver, ninst, machine_name, mpilib)
 
-        if multi_driver and ninst>1:
+        if multi_driver and int(ninst) > 1:
             logger.info(" Driver/Coupler has %s instances" % ninst)
 
         #--------------------------------------------