diff --git a/manifests/params.pp b/manifests/params.pp
index cb1e6b22d..ca8c52011 100644
--- a/manifests/params.pp
+++ b/manifests/params.pp
@@ -385,7 +385,9 @@
 
   case $::operatingsystem {
     'Ubuntu': {
-      if versioncmp($::operatingsystemmajrelease, '14.10') > 0 {
+      # lint:ignore:only_variable_string
+      if versioncmp("${::operatingsystemmajrelease}", '14.10') > 0 {
+      # lint:endignore
         $server_service_provider = 'systemd'
       } else {
         $server_service_provider = 'upstart'