diff --git a/appium/webdriver/extensions/location.py b/appium/webdriver/extensions/location.py
index 8c469fc8..7c96f863 100644
--- a/appium/webdriver/extensions/location.py
+++ b/appium/webdriver/extensions/location.py
@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ def set_location(self, latitude, longitude, altitude):
         """
         data = {
             "location": {
-                "latitude": str(latitude),
-                "longitude": str(longitude),
-                "altitude": str(altitude)
+                "latitude": float(latitude),
+                "longitude": float(longitude),
+                "altitude": float(altitude)
             }
         }
         self.execute(Command.SET_LOCATION, data)
diff --git a/test/unit/webdriver/device/location_test.py b/test/unit/webdriver/device/location_test.py
index ad6a07bb..f8adb2f2 100644
--- a/test/unit/webdriver/device/location_test.py
+++ b/test/unit/webdriver/device/location_test.py
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 
 from appium.webdriver.webdriver import WebDriver
 
+FLT_EPSILON = 1e-9
+
 
 class TestWebDriverLocation(object):
 
@@ -44,9 +46,9 @@ def test_set_location(self):
         assert isinstance(driver.set_location(11.1, 22.2, 33.3), WebDriver) == True
 
         d = get_httpretty_request_body(httpretty.last_request())
-        assert d['location']['latitude'] == '11.1'
-        assert d['location']['longitude'] == '22.2'
-        assert d['location']['altitude'] == '33.3'
+        assert abs(d['location']['latitude'] - 11.1) <= FLT_EPSILON
+        assert abs(d['location']['longitude'] - 22.2) <= FLT_EPSILON
+        assert abs(d['location']['altitude'] - 33.3) <= FLT_EPSILON
 
     @httpretty.activate
     def test_location(self):
@@ -57,6 +59,6 @@ def test_location(self):
             body='{"value": {"latitude": 11.1, "longitude": 22.2, "altitude": 33.3}}'
         )
         val = driver.location
-        assert val['latitude'] == 11.1
-        assert val['longitude'] == 22.2
-        assert val['altitude'] == 33.3
+        assert abs(val['latitude'] - 11.1) <= FLT_EPSILON
+        assert abs(val['longitude'] - 22.2) <= FLT_EPSILON
+        assert abs(val['altitude'] - 33.3) <= FLT_EPSILON