diff --git a/validator/src/main.rs b/validator/src/main.rs
index 85e18ae678..0ed4ada55a 100644
--- a/validator/src/main.rs
+++ b/validator/src/main.rs
@@ -1213,6 +1213,7 @@ pub fn main() {
                 .long("expected-shred-version")
                 .value_name("VERSION")
                 .takes_value(true)
+                .validator(is_parsable::<u16>)
                 .help("Require the shred version be this value"),
         )
         .arg(