diff --git a/lbry/wallet/server/env.py b/lbry/wallet/server/env.py
index 9a06c8145..a8c2a9ae8 100644
--- a/lbry/wallet/server/env.py
+++ b/lbry/wallet/server/env.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ class Env:
         self.session_timeout = self.integer('SESSION_TIMEOUT', 600)
         self.drop_client = self.custom("DROP_CLIENT", None, re.compile)
         self.description = self.default('DESCRIPTION', '')
-        self.daily_fee = self.integer('DAILY_FEE', 0)
+        self.daily_fee = self.string_amount('DAILY_FEE', '0')
 
         # Identities
         clearnet_identity = self.clearnet_identity()
@@ -107,6 +107,14 @@ class Env:
             raise cls.Error(f'required envvar {envvar} not set')
         return value
 
+    @classmethod
+    def string_amount(cls, envvar, default):
+        value = environ.get(envvar, default)
+        amount_pattern = re.compile("[0-9]{0,10}(\.[0-9]{1,8})?")
+        if len(value) > 0 and not amount_pattern.fullmatch(value):
+            raise cls.Error(f'{value} is not a valid amount for {envvar}')
+        return value
+
     @classmethod
     def integer(cls, envvar, default):
         value = environ.get(envvar)
diff --git a/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py b/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py
index a4148a996..113c9a474 100644
--- a/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py
+++ b/tests/integration/blockchain/test_network.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class NetworkTests(IntegrationTestCase):
             'pruning': None,
             'description': '',
             'payment_address': '',
-            'daily_fee': 0,
+            'daily_fee': '0',
             'server_version': lbry.__version__}, await self.ledger.network.get_server_features())
         await self.conductor.spv_node.stop()
         address = (await self.account.get_addresses(limit=1))[0]
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class NetworkTests(IntegrationTestCase):
             'pruning': None,
             'description': 'Fastest server in the west.',
             'payment_address': address,
-            'daily_fee': 42,
+            'daily_fee': '42',
             'server_version': lbry.__version__}, await self.ledger.network.get_server_features())