diff --git a/addons/base_import/models/base_import.py b/addons/base_import/models/base_import.py
index 83c9c76cb1e..dbff99fab88 100644
--- a/addons/base_import/models/base_import.py
+++ b/addons/base_import/models/base_import.py
@@ -622,9 +622,11 @@ class Import(models.TransientModel):
                     # versions, for both data and pattern
                     user_format = pycompat.to_native(options.get('%s_format' % field['type']))
                     for num, line in enumerate(data):
+                        if line[index]:
+                            line[index] = line[index].strip()
                         if line[index]:
                             try:
-                                line[index] = dt.strftime(dt.strptime(pycompat.to_native(line[index].strip()), user_format), server_format)
+                                line[index] = dt.strftime(dt.strptime(pycompat.to_native(line[index]), user_format), server_format)
                             except ValueError as e:
                                 raise ValueError(_("Column %s contains incorrect values. Error in line %d: %s") % (name, num + 1, e))
                             except Exception as e: