diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/notification/irc.py b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/notification/irc.py
index 422f1e7986c..3133fde7c35 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/extras/notification/irc.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/extras/notification/irc.py
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ def main():
     module = AnsibleModule(
         argument_spec=dict(
             server=dict(default='localhost'),
-            port=dict(default=6667),
+            port=dict(type='int', default=6667),
             nick=dict(default='ansible'),
             nick_to=dict(required=False, type='list'),
             msg=dict(required=True),