diff --git a/addons/website_sale/controllers/main.py b/addons/website_sale/controllers/main.py
index 99ebe3a2b11..2ee783a2da0 100644
--- a/addons/website_sale/controllers/main.py
+++ b/addons/website_sale/controllers/main.py
@@ -1015,7 +1015,10 @@ class WebsiteSale(http.Controller):
 
         # error message for empty required fields
         for field_name in required_fields:
-            if not data.get(field_name):
+            val = data.get(field_name)
+            if isinstance(val, str):
+                val = val.strip()
+            if not val:
                 error[field_name] = 'missing'
 
         # email validation