diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageManager.java
index bd293ee3b..03d554af7 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/util/MessageManager.java
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ public class MessageManager
         if (rbundle != null) {
             String mbclass = null;
             try {
-                mbclass = rbundle.getString(MBUNDLE_CLASS_KEY);
+                mbclass = rbundle.getString(MBUNDLE_CLASS_KEY).trim();
                 if (!StringUtil.isBlank(mbclass)) {
                     bundle = (MessageBundle)
                         Class.forName(mbclass).newInstance();