diff --git a/podman_compose.py b/podman_compose.py
index 581ca0b..05f792f 100755
--- a/podman_compose.py
+++ b/podman_compose.py
@@ -1927,7 +1927,7 @@ class PodmanCompose:
             "--in-pod",
             help="pod creation",
             metavar="in_pod",
-            type=bool,
+            type=lambda x: x.lower() in ["1", "true"],
             default=True,
         )
         parser.add_argument(