diff --git a/jobspec/parse.go b/jobspec/parse.go
index 58dbd6c9c..716ff9611 100644
--- a/jobspec/parse.go
+++ b/jobspec/parse.go
@@ -318,9 +318,9 @@ func parseConstraints(result *[]*structs.Constraint, list *ast.ObjectList) error
 		}
 
 		if value, ok := m[structs.ConstraintDistinctHosts]; ok {
-			enabled, err := strconv.ParseBool(value.(string))
+			enabled, err := parseBool(value)
 			if err != nil {
-				return err
+				return fmt.Errorf("distinct_hosts should be set to true or false; %v", err)
 			}
 
 			// If it is not enabled, skip the constraint.
@@ -346,6 +346,23 @@ func parseConstraints(result *[]*structs.Constraint, list *ast.ObjectList) error
 	return nil
 }
 
+// parseBool takes an interface value and tries to convert it to a boolean and
+// returns an error if the type can't be converted.
+func parseBool(value interface{}) (bool, error) {
+	var enabled bool
+	var err error
+	switch value.(type) {
+	case string:
+		enabled, err = strconv.ParseBool(value.(string))
+	case bool:
+		enabled = value.(bool)
+	default:
+		err = fmt.Errorf("%v couldn't be converted to boolean value", value)
+	}
+
+	return enabled, err
+}
+
 func parseTasks(jobName string, taskGroupName string, result *[]*structs.Task, list *ast.ObjectList) error {
 	list = list.Children()
 	if len(list.Items) == 0 {