diff --git a/graphics/elements/form/NumberField.lua b/graphics/elements/form/NumberField.lua
index cc7a602..88b07e1 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/form/NumberField.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/form/NumberField.lua
@@ -247,5 +247,11 @@ return function (args)
     ---@class NumberField:graphics_element
     local NumberField, id = e.complete(true)
 
+    -- get the numeric value of this field
+    ---@return number
+    function NumberField.get_numeric()
+        return tonumber(e.value) or 0
+    end
+
     return NumberField, id
 end
diff --git a/pocket/ui/apps/control.lua b/pocket/ui/apps/control.lua
index ab70b69..57cabc8 100644
--- a/pocket/ui/apps/control.lua
+++ b/pocket/ui/apps/control.lua
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ local function new_view(root)
             TextBox{parent=u_div,x=14,y=8,text="mB/t",width=4,fg_bg=label_fg_bg}
             local burn_cmd = NumberField{parent=u_div,x=5,y=8,width=8,default=0.01,min=0.01,max_frac_digits=2,max_chars=8,allow_decimal=true,align_right=true,fg_bg=style.field,dis_fg_bg=style.field_disable}
 
-            local set_burn = function () unit.set_burn(burn_cmd.get_value()) end
+            local set_burn = function () unit.set_burn(burn_cmd.get_numeric()) end
             local set_burn_btn = PushButton{parent=u_div,x=19,y=8,text="SET",min_width=5,fg_bg=cpair(colors.green,colors.black),active_fg_bg=cpair(colors.white,colors.black),dis_fg_bg=style.btn_disable,callback=set_burn}
 
             -- enable/disable controls based on group assignment (start button is separate)
diff --git a/pocket/ui/apps/process.lua b/pocket/ui/apps/process.lua
index 5a8932b..abcdadb 100644
--- a/pocket/ui/apps/process.lua
+++ b/pocket/ui/apps/process.lua
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ local function new_view(root)
 
         --#region unit settings/status
 
-        local rate_limits = {}
+        local rate_limits = {}  ---@type NumberField[]
 
         for i = 1, db.facility.num_units do
             local u_pane = panes[i]
@@ -207,10 +207,10 @@ local function new_view(root)
 
         local function _start_auto()
             local limits = {}
-            for i = 1, #rate_limits do limits[i] = rate_limits[i].get_value() end
+            for i = 1, #rate_limits do limits[i] = rate_limits[i].get_numeric() end
 
-            process.process_start(mode.get_value(), b_target.get_value(), db.energy_convert_to_fe(c_target.get_value()),
-                                  db.energy_convert_to_fe(g_target.get_value()), limits)
+            process.process_start(mode.get_value(), b_target.get_numeric(), db.energy_convert_to_fe(c_target.get_numeric()),
+                                  db.energy_convert_to_fe(g_target.get_numeric()), limits)
         end
 
         local start = HazardButton{parent=c_div,x=2,y=9,text="START",accent=colors.lightBlue,callback=_start_auto,timeout=3,fg_bg=hzd_fg_bg,dis_colors=dis_colors}