diff --git a/quest_api.lua b/quest_api.lua
index f8d5a2c..afa8284 100644
--- a/quest_api.lua
+++ b/quest_api.lua
@@ -106,7 +106,8 @@ yl_speak_up.input_fs_manage_variables = function(player, formname, fields)
 	end
 	-- add a new variable?
 	if(fields and fields.add_variable) then
-		if(not(fields.add_variable_name) or fields.add_variable_name == "") then
+		if(not(fields.add_variable_name) or fields.add_variable_name == ""
+		  or fields.add_variable_name:trim() == "") then
 			yl_speak_up.show_fs(player, "msg", {
 				input_to = "yl_speak_up:manage_variables",
 				formspec = "size[6,2]"..
@@ -114,6 +115,8 @@ yl_speak_up.input_fs_manage_variables = function(player, formname, fields)
 					"button[1.5,1.5;2,0.9;back_from_msg;Back]"})
 			return
 		end
+		-- TODO: limit names to something more sensible?
+		fields.add_variable_name = fields.add_variable_name:trim()
 		local res = yl_speak_up.add_quest_variable(pname, fields.add_variable_name)
 		local text = "A new variable named\n     \""..tostring(fields.add_variable_name)..
 			"\"\nhas been created."