diff --git a/swiftclient/service.py b/swiftclient/service.py
index 6ccba552..3820ace9 100644
--- a/swiftclient/service.py
+++ b/swiftclient/service.py
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ def split_headers(options, prefix=''):
     for item in options:
         split_item = item.split(':', 1)
         if len(split_item) == 2:
-            headers[(prefix + split_item[0]).title()] = split_item[1]
+            headers[(prefix + split_item[0]).title()] = split_item[1].strip()
         else:
             raise SwiftError(
                 "Metadata parameter %s must contain a ':'.\n%s"
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_service.py b/tests/unit/test_service.py
index 2e7acf95..989699f7 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_service.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_service.py
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ class TestServiceUtils(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(opt_c['key'], 'key')
 
     def test_split_headers(self):
-        mock_headers = ['color:blue', 'size:large']
+        mock_headers = ['color:blue', 'SIZE: large']
         expected = {'Color': 'blue', 'Size': 'large'}
 
         actual = swiftclient.service.split_headers(mock_headers)