diff --git a/HISTORY.md b/HISTORY.md
index d51ce9ef..6c738a8e 100755
--- a/HISTORY.md
+++ b/HISTORY.md
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 * BYOB: identify multi-line input slots by the pilcrow symbol in the slot editor
 * BYOB: support default values in multi-line input slots inside custom blocks
 * Blocks: enable piano keyboard menu to work with textual values representable as numbers
+* Blocks: enable dial menu to work with textual values representable as numbers
 
 ### 2019-02-01
 * BYOB: new experimental feature: special multi-line and monospaced input slot types
diff --git a/src/blocks.js b/src/blocks.js
index 5e4118d3..eec738ca 100644
--- a/src/blocks.js
+++ b/src/blocks.js
@@ -8511,7 +8511,7 @@ InputSlotMorph.prototype.menuFromDict = function (
        			dial.action = update;
        			dial.fillColor = this.parent.color;
           		dial.setRadius(this.fontSize * 3);
-				dial.setValue(this.evaluate(), false, true);
+				dial.setValue(+this.evaluate(), false, true);
        			menu.addLine();
 			    menu.items.push(dial);
             	menu.addLine();