diff --git a/slixmpp/plugins/xep_0461/stanza.py b/slixmpp/plugins/xep_0461/stanza.py
index b99b2745..1035fd83 100644
--- a/slixmpp/plugins/xep_0461/stanza.py
+++ b/slixmpp/plugins/xep_0461/stanza.py
@@ -23,13 +23,10 @@ class FeatureFallBack(ElementBase):
         start = self["fallback_body"]["start"]
         end = self["fallback_body"]["end"]
         body = self.parent()["body"]
-        try:
-            start = int(start)
-            end = int(end)
-        except ValueError:
-            return body
-        else:
+        if start < end < len(body):
             return body[:start] + body[end:]
+        else:
+            return body
 
 
 class FallBackBody(ElementBase):
@@ -40,6 +37,24 @@ class FallBackBody(ElementBase):
     plugin_attrib = "fallback_body"
     interfaces = {"start", "end"}
 
+    def set_start(self, v: int):
+        self._set_attr("start", str(v))
+
+    def get_start(self):
+        try:
+            return int(self._get_attr("start"))
+        except ValueError:
+            return 0
+
+    def set_end(self, v: int):
+        self._set_attr("end", str(v))
+
+    def get_end(self):
+        try:
+            return int(self._get_attr("end"))
+        except ValueError:
+            return 0
+
 
 def register_plugins():
     register_stanza_plugin(Message, Reply)
diff --git a/tests/test_stanza_xep_0461.py b/tests/test_stanza_xep_0461.py
index b9550481..90aa751b 100644
--- a/tests/test_stanza_xep_0461.py
+++ b/tests/test_stanza_xep_0461.py
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ class TestReply(SlixTest):
         message = Message()
         message["body"] = "12345\nrealbody"
         message["feature_fallback"]["for"] = "NS"
-        message["feature_fallback"]["fallback_body"]["start"] = "0"
-        message["feature_fallback"]["fallback_body"]["end"] = "6"
+        message["feature_fallback"]["fallback_body"]["start"] = 0
+        message["feature_fallback"]["fallback_body"]["end"] = 6
 
         self.check(
             message,