diff --git a/test-salt-model-wrapper.groovy b/test-salt-model-wrapper.groovy
index e882b39..e8941ea 100644
--- a/test-salt-model-wrapper.groovy
+++ b/test-salt-model-wrapper.groovy
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
         String gerritChangeNumber = job_env.get('GERRIT_CHANGE_NUMBER')
         String gerritPatchSetNumber = job_env.get('GERRIT_PATCHSET_NUMBER')
         String gerritBranch = job_env.get('GERRIT_BRANCH')
-        String gateMode = job_env.get('GERRIT_CI_MERGE_TRIGGER', false)
+        Boolean gateMode = job_env.get('GERRIT_CI_MERGE_TRIGGER', false).toBoolean()
 
         // Common and manual build parameters
         LinkedHashMap projectsMap = [:]