diff --git a/salt/telegraf/etc/telegraf.conf b/salt/telegraf/etc/telegraf.conf
index 29d25b5d5..694f9bc2a 100644
--- a/salt/telegraf/etc/telegraf.conf
+++ b/salt/telegraf/etc/telegraf.conf
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 # Configuration for telegraf agent
 [agent]
   ## Default data collection interval for all inputs
-  interval = {{ TGDEFAULTS.telegraf.config.interval }}
+  interval = "{{ TGDEFAULTS.telegraf.config.interval }}"
   ## Rounds collection interval to 'interval'
   ## ie, if interval="10s" then always collect on :00, :10, :20, etc.
   round_interval = true