diff --git a/handler/sources/local.py b/handler/sources/local.py
index 39f488e..6377216 100644
--- a/handler/sources/local.py
+++ b/handler/sources/local.py
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ class Local(util.Base):
             return False
         open_tx = db.get_ref_map().keys()
         for message in messages["response"]["data"]["message_list"]:
-            contact_id = message["contact_id"]
+            contact_id = str(message["contact_id"])
             username = message["sender"]["username"]
             msg = message["msg"]
             if contact_id not in open_tx: