diff --git a/zerver/lib/actions.py b/zerver/lib/actions.py
index 86588719d6..313b4d1b52 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/actions.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/actions.py
@@ -1093,7 +1093,7 @@ def update_user_presence(user_profile, client, log_time, status,
 
     queue_json_publish("user_activity", event, process_user_presence_event)
 
-    if ujson.loads(new_user_input):
+    if new_user_input:
         update_user_activity_interval(user_profile, log_time)
 
 def do_update_message_flags(user_profile, operation, flag, messages, all):
diff --git a/zerver/views/__init__.py b/zerver/views/__init__.py
index 2ae89841d8..749db5cb40 100644
--- a/zerver/views/__init__.py
+++ b/zerver/views/__init__.py
@@ -1815,7 +1815,7 @@ def get_status_list(requesting_user_profile):
 @authenticated_json_post_view
 @has_request_variables
 def json_update_active_status(request, user_profile, status=REQ,
-                              new_user_input=REQ(default=False)):
+                              new_user_input=REQ(converter=json_to_bool, default=False)):
     status_val = UserPresence.status_from_string(status)
     if status_val is None:
         raise JsonableError("Invalid presence status: %s" % (status,))