diff --git a/moto/iot/responses.py b/moto/iot/responses.py
index f59c105da..4bd35bce4 100644
--- a/moto/iot/responses.py
+++ b/moto/iot/responses.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class IoTResponse(BaseResponse):
         return json.dumps(dict())
 
     def create_keys_and_certificate(self):
-        set_as_active = self._get_param("setAsActive")
+        set_as_active = self._get_bool_param("setAsActive")
         cert, key_pair = self.iot_backend.create_keys_and_certificate(
             set_as_active=set_as_active,
         )
diff --git a/tests/test_iot/test_iot.py b/tests/test_iot/test_iot.py
index 7c01934d3..e69e55fc0 100644
--- a/tests/test_iot/test_iot.py
+++ b/tests/test_iot/test_iot.py
@@ -96,6 +96,23 @@ def test_certs():
     res = client.list_certificates()
     res.should.have.key('certificates').which.should.have.length_of(0)
 
+@mock_iot
+def test_certs_create_inactive():
+    client = boto3.client('iot', region_name='ap-northeast-1')
+    cert = client.create_keys_and_certificate(setAsActive=False)
+    cert_id = cert['certificateId']
+
+    cert = client.describe_certificate(certificateId=cert_id)
+    cert.should.have.key('certificateDescription')
+    cert_desc = cert['certificateDescription']
+    cert_desc.should.have.key('status').which.should.equal('INACTIVE')
+
+    client.update_certificate(certificateId=cert_id, newStatus='ACTIVE')
+    cert = client.describe_certificate(certificateId=cert_id)
+    cert.should.have.key('certificateDescription')
+    cert_desc = cert['certificateDescription']
+    cert_desc.should.have.key('status').which.should.equal('ACTIVE')
+
 @mock_iot
 def test_policy():
     client = boto3.client('iot', region_name='ap-northeast-1')