diff --git a/tests/refl_init.py b/tests/refl_init.py
index 421b68a4d..0fab9173e 100644
--- a/tests/refl_init.py
+++ b/tests/refl_init.py
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 test_var_path = os.path.join(test_config_path, "var_init")
 
 REFL_MACROS = json.dumps({"CONFIG_FILE": "config_init.py",  # tested implicitly by entire suite
-                          "OPTIONAL_1": True,
-                          "OPTIONAL_2": False, })
+                          "OPTIONAL_1": "True",
+                          "OPTIONAL_2": "False", })
 
 IOCS = [
     {