diff --git a/authserv/server.py b/authserv/server.py
index 00d4b911e1c32515204fa66bab8661e97a332019..510b060011e9cc675a584395c962742fd8ffdb6e 100644
--- a/authserv/server.py
+++ b/authserv/server.py
@@ -31,10 +31,7 @@ def do_auth():
     password = request.form.get('password')
     otp_token = request.form.get('otp')
     source_ip = request.form.get('source_ip')
-    try:
-        shard = int(request.form.get('shard'))
-    except:
-        shard = -1
+    shard = request.form.get('shard')
 
     if not service or not username:
         abort(400)