diff --git a/tools/watch/api.go b/tools/watch/api.go
index 463bcce5b..bf9839bfd 100644
--- a/tools/watch/api.go
+++ b/tools/watch/api.go
@@ -178,10 +178,13 @@ func EntryPoint(root *cli.Command) {
 			if err != nil {
 				return 1, err
 			}
-			debounce_time_ms, err := strconv.ParseUint(args[1], 10, 64)
+			debounce_time_ms, err := strconv.Atoi(args[1])
 			if err != nil {
 				return 1, err
 			}
+			if debounce_time_ms < 0 {
+				return 0, fmt.Errorf("debounce_time must be >= 0")
+			}
 			config_paths := utils.Map(resolve_path, args[2:])
 			if err = watch_for_kitty_config_changes(
 				func() error { return signal_kitty_to_reload_config(kitty_pid) },