diff --git a/kernel_tuner/strategies/common.py b/kernel_tuner/strategies/common.py
index 034fefd6f..2185cb2f7 100644
--- a/kernel_tuner/strategies/common.py
+++ b/kernel_tuner/strategies/common.py
@@ -203,8 +203,14 @@ def snap_to_nearest_config(x, tune_params):
     """Helper func that for each param selects the closest actual value."""
     params = []
     for i, k in enumerate(tune_params.keys()):
-        values = np.array(tune_params[k])
-        idx = np.abs(values - x[i]).argmin()
+        values = tune_params[k]
+
+        # if `x[i]` is in `values`, use that value, otherwise find the closest match
+        if x[i] in values:
+            idx = values.index(x[i])
+        else:
+            idx = np.argmin([abs(v - x[i]) for v in values])
+
         params.append(values[idx])
     return params
 
diff --git a/test/test_common.py b/test/test_common.py
index 132068843..7c1bd6838 100644
--- a/test/test_common.py
+++ b/test/test_common.py
@@ -50,9 +50,10 @@ def test_snap_to_nearest_config():
     tune_params['x'] = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
     tune_params['y'] = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
     tune_params['z'] = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
+    tune_params['w'] = ['a', 'b', 'c']
 
-    x = [-5.7, 3.14, 1e6]
-    expected = [0, 3, 5]
+    x = [-5.7, 3.14, 1e6, 'b']
+    expected = [0, 3, 5, 'b']
 
     answer = common.snap_to_nearest_config(x, tune_params)
     assert answer == expected