diff --git a/src/java/com/samskivert/util/StringUtil.java b/src/java/com/samskivert/util/StringUtil.java
index c54d96a7..b69bd955 100644
--- a/src/java/com/samskivert/util/StringUtil.java
+++ b/src/java/com/samskivert/util/StringUtil.java
@@ -92,6 +92,14 @@ public class StringUtil
         return (value == null || value.trim().length() == 0);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Calls {@link String#trim} on non-null values, returns null for null values.
+     */
+    public static String trim (String value)
+    {
+        return (value == null) ? null : value.trim();
+    }
+
     /**
      * @return the supplied string if it is non-null, "" if it is null.
      */