diff --git a/os_net_config/objects.py b/os_net_config/objects.py
index ec915da9..a469914f 100644
--- a/os_net_config/objects.py
+++ b/os_net_config/objects.py
@@ -247,7 +247,8 @@ class _BaseOpts(object):
         mtu = json.get('mtu', None)
         dhclient_args = json.get('dhclient_args')
         dns_servers = json.get('dns_servers')
-        nm_controlled = json.get('nm_controlled')
+        nm_controlled = strutils.bool_from_string(str(json.get('nm_controlled',
+                                                      False)))
         primary = strutils.bool_from_string(str(json.get('primary', False)))
         addresses = []
         routes = []
diff --git a/os_net_config/tests/test_objects.py b/os_net_config/tests/test_objects.py
index 4ff87c82..afe63b51 100644
--- a/os_net_config/tests/test_objects.py
+++ b/os_net_config/tests/test_objects.py
@@ -144,6 +144,46 @@ class TestInterface(base.TestCase):
         interface1 = objects.object_from_json(json.loads(data))
         self.assertEqual("--foobar", interface1.dhclient_args)
 
+    def test_from_json_nm_controlled_false(self):
+        data = """{
+"type": "interface",
+"name": "em1",
+"nm_controlled": false
+}
+"""
+        interface1 = objects.object_from_json(json.loads(data))
+        self.assertFalse(interface1.nm_controlled)
+
+    def test_from_json_nm_controlled_true(self):
+        data = """{
+"type": "interface",
+"name": "em1",
+"nm_controlled": true
+}
+"""
+        interface1 = objects.object_from_json(json.loads(data))
+        self.assertTrue(interface1.nm_controlled)
+
+    def test_from_json_nm_controlled_false_boolstr(self):
+        data = """{
+"type": "interface",
+"name": "em1",
+"nm_controlled": "no"
+}
+"""
+        interface1 = objects.object_from_json(json.loads(data))
+        self.assertFalse(interface1.nm_controlled)
+
+    def test_from_json_nm_controlled_true_boolstr(self):
+        data = """{
+"type": "interface",
+"name": "em1",
+"nm_controlled": "yes"
+}
+"""
+        interface1 = objects.object_from_json(json.loads(data))
+        self.assertTrue(interface1.nm_controlled)
+
     def test_from_json_dns_servers(self):
         data = """{
 "type": "interface",