diff --git a/lms/static/js/staff_debug_actions.js b/lms/static/js/staff_debug_actions.js
index 0935031ad8cd..49d993fc8684 100644
--- a/lms/static/js/staff_debug_actions.js
+++ b/lms/static/js/staff_debug_actions.js
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ var StaffDebug = (function() {
         return string.replace(/[.*+?^:${}()|[\]\\]/g, '\\$&');
     };
 
+    var sanitizeScore = function(string){
+        return string.replace(/[^0-9.]/g, '');
+    };
+
     var getUser = function(locationName) {
         var sanitizedLocationName = sanitizeString(locationName);
         var uname = $('#sd_fu_' + sanitizedLocationName).val();
@@ -24,6 +28,7 @@ var StaffDebug = (function() {
         if (score === '') {
             score = $('#sd_fs_' + sanitizedLocationName).attr('placeholder');
         }
+        score = sanitizeScore(score)
         return score;
     };
 
diff --git a/lms/templates/staff_problem_info.html b/lms/templates/staff_problem_info.html
index 849032b15b98..e46033fc578d 100644
--- a/lms/templates/staff_problem_info.html
+++ b/lms/templates/staff_problem_info.html
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ <h3>${_('Actions')}</h3>
       % if can_override_problem_score:
       <div>
         <label for="sd_fs_${location.block_id}">${_('Score (for override only)')}:</label>
-        <input type="text" tabindex="0" id="sd_fs_${location.block_id}" placeholder="0"/>
+        <input type="number" tabindex="0" id="sd_fs_${location.block_id}" placeholder="0"/>
         <label for="sd_fs_${location.block_id}"> / ${max_problem_score}</label>
       </div>
       % endif