diff --git a/pylot/core/util/utils.py b/pylot/core/util/utils.py
index 50d7b867..ffd9a077 100644
--- a/pylot/core/util/utils.py
+++ b/pylot/core/util/utils.py
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ def get_none(value):
 
 def get_bool(value):
     """
-    Convert string representations of bools to their true boolean value
+    Convert string representations of bools to their true boolean value. Return value if it cannot be identified as bool.
     :param value:
     :type value: str, bool, int, float
     :return: true boolean value
@@ -355,6 +355,8 @@ def get_bool(value):
     False
     >>> get_bool(-0.3)
     False
+    >>> get_bool(None)
+    None
     """
     if type(value) == bool:
         return value
@@ -362,10 +364,13 @@ def get_bool(value):
         return True
     elif value in ['False', 'false']:
         return False
-    elif value > 0. or value > 0:
-        return True
+    elif isinstance(value, float) or isinstance(value, int):
+        if value > 0. or value > 0:
+            return True
+        else:
+            return False
     else:
-        return False
+        return value
 
 
 def four_digits(year):