diff --git a/datadog_callback.py b/datadog_callback.py
index 2a6703d..c769af3 100644
--- a/datadog_callback.py
+++ b/datadog_callback.py
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ def v2_playbook_on_play_start(self, play):
                 self.disabled = True
             else:
                 try:
-                    api_key = hostvars['localhost']['datadog_api_key']
+                    api_key = str(hostvars['localhost']['datadog_api_key'])
                     if not dd_url:
                         dd_url = hostvars['localhost'].get('datadog_url')
                     if not dd_site: