diff --git a/recap/config.py b/recap/config.py
index b2b21af..60ae0e7 100644
--- a/recap/config.py
+++ b/recap/config.py
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ def load_yaml_with_base(cls, filename: os.PathLike) -> "CfgNode":
                 base_uri = uri.parent / base_uri
             base_cfg = cls.load_yaml_with_base(base_uri)
             del cfg[BASE_KEY]
+            # base_cfg.merge_with_dict(cfg.params_dict())
             base_cfg.merge_from_other_cfg(cfg)
             return base_cfg
         return cfg
@@ -99,3 +100,10 @@ def params_dict(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
             else:
                 params[k] = v
         return params
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _decode_cfg_value(cls, value):
+        # Patch error in yacs causing the string '"1234"' being interpreted as the number '1234'.
+        if isinstance(value, dict):
+            return cls(value)
+        return value
diff --git a/tests/resources/number_as_string.yaml b/tests/resources/number_as_string.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f5d27b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/resources/number_as_string.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+_BASE_: number_as_string_base.yaml
+
+PROPERTY: "1234"
diff --git a/tests/resources/number_as_string_base.yaml b/tests/resources/number_as_string_base.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47e7b3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/resources/number_as_string_base.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+PROPERTY:
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index cf1dd6b..8330fcc 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -21,3 +21,7 @@ def test_inherit_yaml():
 def test_data_type_override():
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
         cfg = CN.load_yaml_with_base(RESOURCES / "data_type_override.yaml")
+
+def test_number_as_string():
+    cfg = CN.load_yaml_with_base(RESOURCES / "number_as_string.yaml")
+    assert isinstance(cfg.PROPERTY, str)