diff --git a/tests/test_model_validation.py b/tests/test_model_validation.py
index 50f26318..fde2a663 100644
--- a/tests/test_model_validation.py
+++ b/tests/test_model_validation.py
@@ -50,3 +50,6 @@ class ModelValidationTests(unittest.TestCase):
                     client.get_llm()
 
                 self.assertEqual(caught, [])
+
+    def test_validator_accepts_known_model_with_surrounding_whitespace(self):
+        self.assertTrue(validate_model(" openai ", " gpt-5.4 "))
diff --git a/tradingagents/llm_clients/validators.py b/tradingagents/llm_clients/validators.py
index 4e6d457b..94e93626 100644
--- a/tradingagents/llm_clients/validators.py
+++ b/tradingagents/llm_clients/validators.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ def validate_model(provider: str, model: str) -> bool:
 
     For ollama, openrouter - any model is accepted.
     """
-    provider_lower = provider.lower()
+    provider_lower = provider.lower().strip()
+    model_name = model.strip()
 
     if provider_lower in ("ollama", "openrouter"):
         return True
@@ -23,4 +24,4 @@ def validate_model(provider: str, model: str) -> bool:
     if provider_lower not in VALID_MODELS:
         return True
 
-    return model in VALID_MODELS[provider_lower]
+    return model_name in VALID_MODELS[provider_lower]