diff --git a/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py b/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py
index c128d17..b487cb4 100755
--- a/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py
+++ b/scripts/joinmarket-qt.py
@@ -2352,7 +2352,7 @@ class JMMainWindow(QMainWindow):
                 echo_mode=QLineEdit.Password)
             if not ok:
                 return False
-            pwd = str(text).strip().encode('utf-8')
+            pwd = text.encode('utf-8')
             match = self.wallet_service.check_wallet_passphrase(pwd)
             if not match:
                 asyncio.ensure_future(