diff --git a/base_phone/base_phone.py b/base_phone/base_phone.py
index afd95d5..1558194 100644
--- a/base_phone/base_phone.py
+++ b/base_phone/base_phone.py
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ class PhoneCommon(models.AbstractModel):
             user = self.pool['res.users'].browse(cr, uid, uid, context=context)
             # country_id on res.company is a fields.function that looks at
             # company_id.partner_id.addres(default).country_id
+            if isinstance(vals[self._country_field], (str, unicode)):
+                vals[self._country_field] = int(vals[self._country_field])
             countrycode = None
             if self._country_field:
                 if vals.get(self._country_field):