diff --git a/cms/static/js/base.js b/cms/static/js/base.js
index 5e91eca875..3279b337ee 100644
--- a/cms/static/js/base.js
+++ b/cms/static/js/base.js
@@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ function saveEditSectionName(e) {
     e.preventDefault();
 
     id = $(this).closest("section.courseware-section").data("id");
-    display_name = $(this).prev('.edit-section-name').val();
+    display_name = $.trim($(this).prev('.edit-section-name').val());
 
     if (display_name == '') {
         alert("You must specify a name before saving.")