diff --git a/cloud-build.py b/cloud-build.py
index 4794124..5025182 100755
--- a/cloud-build.py
+++ b/cloud-build.py
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ class CB:
         try:
             self._remote = os.path.expanduser(cfg['remote'])
             self.key = cfg['key']
+            if isinstance(self.key, int):
+                self.key = '{:X}'.format(self.key)
             self._images = cfg['images']
             self._branches = cfg['branches']
         except KeyError as e:
diff --git a/example-config.yaml b/example-config.yaml
index 11ec3bf..2b57cc3 100644
--- a/example-config.yaml
+++ b/example-config.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 remote: remote:/pub/images/{branch}/cloud
-key: '0x00000000'
+key: 0x00000000
 repository_url: file:///space/ALT
 
 images: