diff --git a/virtinst/domain/cpu.py b/virtinst/domain/cpu.py
index 3548acd7f..8cf85a43f 100644
--- a/virtinst/domain/cpu.py
+++ b/virtinst/domain/cpu.py
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ class DomainCpu(XMLBuilder):
             return
 
         cpu_model = domcaps_mode.get_model(self.model)
-        if cpu_model and cpu_model.usable:
+        if cpu_model and cpu_model.usable != "no":
             return
 
         logging.debug("Host capabilities CPU '%s' is not supported "
diff --git a/virtinst/domcapabilities.py b/virtinst/domcapabilities.py
index f63a17996..d1c6f166c 100644
--- a/virtinst/domcapabilities.py
+++ b/virtinst/domcapabilities.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class _Features(_CapsBlock):
 class _CPUModel(XMLBuilder):
     XML_NAME = "model"
     model = XMLProperty(".")
-    usable = XMLProperty("./@usable", is_yesno=True)
+    usable = XMLProperty("./@usable")
     fallback = XMLProperty("./@fallback")