diff --git a/gerrit-gwtui/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/client/account/MyWatchedProjectsScreen.java b/gerrit-gwtui/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/client/account/MyWatchedProjectsScreen.java
index 13de8e78fc..a528912ea9 100644
--- a/gerrit-gwtui/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/client/account/MyWatchedProjectsScreen.java
+++ b/gerrit-gwtui/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/client/account/MyWatchedProjectsScreen.java
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ public class MyWatchedProjectsScreen extends SettingsScreen {
   }
 
   protected void doAddNew() {
-    final String projectName = nameTxt.getText();
+    final String projectName = nameTxt.getText().trim();
     if ("".equals(projectName)) {
       return;
     }