diff --git a/api-daemon/migrations/versions/bae4d5a77c74_pvc_version_0_9_18.py b/api-daemon/migrations/versions/bae4d5a77c74_pvc_version_0_9_18.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a9a452e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api-daemon/migrations/versions/bae4d5a77c74_pvc_version_0_9_18.py
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+"""PVC version 0.9.18
+
+Revision ID: bae4d5a77c74
+Revises: 3efe890e1d87
+Create Date: 2021-06-02 15:41:40.061806
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = 'bae4d5a77c74'
+down_revision = '3efe890e1d87'
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade():
+    # ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
+    op.execute('ALTER TABLE network ALTER COLUMN vni TYPE TEXT')
+    # ### end Alembic commands ###
+
+
+def downgrade():
+    # ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
+    op.execute('ALTER TABLE network ALTER COLUMN vni TYPE INTEGER USING vni::integer')
+    # ### end Alembic commands ###
diff --git a/api-daemon/pvcapid/models.py b/api-daemon/pvcapid/models.py
index 6d3e2255..8aa825f6 100755
--- a/api-daemon/pvcapid/models.py
+++ b/api-daemon/pvcapid/models.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ class DBNetworkElement(db.Model):
     id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
     network_template = db.Column(db.Integer, db.ForeignKey("network_template.id"), nullable=False)
     vni = db.Column(db.Integer, nullable=False)
+    vni2 = db.Column(db.Text, nullable=False)
 
     def __init__(self, network_template, vni):
         self.network_template = network_template
diff --git a/api-daemon/pvcapid/provisioner.py b/api-daemon/pvcapid/provisioner.py
index 524f174e..e049f5e2 100755
--- a/api-daemon/pvcapid/provisioner.py
+++ b/api-daemon/pvcapid/provisioner.py
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ def create_template_network_element(name, vni):
         networks = []
     found_vni = False
     for network in networks:
-        if int(network['vni']) == int(vni):
+        if network['vni'] == vni:
             found_vni = True
     if found_vni:
         retmsg = {'message': 'The VNI "{}" in network template "{}" already exists.'.format(vni, name)}