diff --git a/lib/rex/server/message_parser.rb b/lib/rex/server/message_parser.rb
index ee4541e..c477189 100644
--- a/lib/rex/server/message_parser.rb
+++ b/lib/rex/server/message_parser.rb
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ module Rex
         when "order.create"
           Messages::CreateOrderRequest.new(
             nil,
-            parsed_message["args"]["side"],
+            parsed_message["args"]["side"].to_sym,
             parsed_message["args"]["price"],
             parsed_message["args"]["quantity"]
           )
diff --git a/spec/server/message_parser_spec.rb b/spec/server/message_parser_spec.rb
index 69c379d..cfe3bdc 100644
--- a/spec/server/message_parser_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/server/message_parser_spec.rb
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ RSpec.describe Rex::Server::MessageParser do
       it "returns a order create request" do
         expect(subject).to be_instance_of(Rex::Server::Messages::CreateOrderRequest)
         expect(subject.user_id).to eq(nil)
-        expect(subject.side).to eq("buy")
+        expect(subject.side).to eq(:buy)
         expect(subject.price).to eq(10)
         expect(subject.quantity).to eq(100)
       end