diff --git a/git-send-email.perl b/git-send-email.perl
index a847d5ed52..7552caca4b 100755
--- a/git-send-email.perl
+++ b/git-send-email.perl
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ sub extract_valid_address {
 	return $address if ($address =~ /^($local_part_regexp)$/);
 
 	if ($have_email_valid) {
-		$address =~ s/^<(.*)>$/$1/;
+		$address =~ s/^\s*<(.*)>\s*$/$1/;
 		return scalar Email::Valid->address($address);
 	} else {
 		# less robust/correct than the monster regexp in Email::Valid,