diff --git a/fs_edit_actions.lua b/fs_edit_actions.lua
index 3dd0c15..62fae13 100644
--- a/fs_edit_actions.lua
+++ b/fs_edit_actions.lua
@@ -565,8 +565,9 @@ yl_speak_up.input_fs_action_text_input = function(player, formname, fields)
 	end
 	if(fields.finished_action and fields.quest_answer and fields.quest_answer ~= "") then
 		-- is the answer correct?
-		-- TODO: strip leading and tailing blanks?
-		local success = not(not(fields.quest_answer and fields.quest_answer == a.a_value))
+		-- strip leading and tailing blanks
+		local success = not(not(fields.quest_answer and a.a_value
+			and fields.quest_answer:trim() == a.a_value:trim()))
 		-- the action was a either a success or failure
 		yl_speak_up.execute_next_action(player, a_id, success)
 		return