diff --git a/salt/common/tools/sbin/so-minion b/salt/common/tools/sbin/so-minion
index cb1c4db3e..89c00bb3c 100755
--- a/salt/common/tools/sbin/so-minion
+++ b/salt/common/tools/sbin/so-minion
@@ -164,11 +164,11 @@ function add_sensor_to_minion() {
 	echo "  mtu: 9000" >> $PILLARFILE
 	echo "zeek:" >> $PILLARFILE
 	echo "    config:" >> $PILLARFILE
-	echo "        lb_procs: $CORECOUNT" >> $PILLARFILE
+	echo "        lb_procs: '$CORECOUNT'" >> $PILLARFILE
 	echo "suricata:" >> $PILLARFILE
 	echo "    config:" >> $PILLARFILE
 	echo "        af-packet:" >> $PILLARFILE
-	echo "            threads: $CORECOUNT" >> $PILLARFILE
+	echo "            threads: '$CORECOUNT'" >> $PILLARFILE
 }
 
 function createSTANDALONE() {