diff --git a/highscore/scores/api/views.py b/highscore/scores/api/views.py
index 7b0840a..e7835c6 100644
--- a/highscore/scores/api/views.py
+++ b/highscore/scores/api/views.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def submit_score(
     x_game_version: GameVersionHeader = None,
 ) -> None:
     version = resolve_version(x_game_version)
-    Score.objects.create(username=payload.username, points=payload.points, version=version)
+    Score.objects.create(username=payload.username.strip(), points=payload.points, version=version)
 
 
 @router.get("", response=list[ScoreOut])