diff --git a/packages/svg.lua b/packages/svg.lua
index b97445ac6..7fe22bd13 100644
--- a/packages/svg.lua
+++ b/packages/svg.lua
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ local pushSVG = function (string, desiredHeight, em, drop)
       SILE.outputter.moveTo(typesetter.frame.state.cursorX, typesetter.frame.state.cursorY)
       local x,y = SILE.outputter.cursor()
       y = y - SILE.documentState.paperSize[2] + (drop and 0 or height)
-      pdf.add_content(scalefactor.." 0 0 "..-(scalefactor).." "..x.." "..y.." cm")
+      pdf.add_content(scalefactor:tonumber() .." 0 0 "..-(scalefactor:tonumber()).." "..x.." "..(y:tonumber()).." cm")
       pdf.add_content(figure)
       pdf.add_content("Q")
       typesetter.frame:advanceWritingDirection(self.width)