diff --git a/src/ORM/FieldType/DBInt.php b/src/ORM/FieldType/DBInt.php
index f7863c813b5..eb283f4e919 100644
--- a/src/ORM/FieldType/DBInt.php
+++ b/src/ORM/FieldType/DBInt.php
@@ -20,6 +20,15 @@ public function __construct($name = null, $defaultVal = 0)
         parent::__construct($name);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Ensure int values are always returned.
+     * This is for mis-configured databases that return strings.
+     */
+    public function getValue()
+    {
+        return (int) $this->value;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns the number, with commas added as appropriate, eg “1,000”.
      */
diff --git a/tests/php/ORM/DBIntTest.php b/tests/php/ORM/DBIntTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..554d80232a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/php/ORM/DBIntTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace SilverStripe\ORM\Tests;
+
+use SilverStripe\Dev\SapphireTest;
+use SilverStripe\ORM\FieldType\DBInt;
+
+class DBIntTest extends SapphireTest
+{
+    public function testGetValueCastToInt()
+    {
+        $field = DBInt::create('MyField');
+        $field->setValue(3);
+        $this->assertSame(3, $field->getValue());
+        $field->setValue('3');
+        $this->assertSame(3, $field->getValue());
+    }
+}