diff --git a/colout/colout.py b/colout/colout.py
index e07d61c..fc1982c 100755
--- a/colout/colout.py
+++ b/colout/colout.py
@@ -290,6 +290,7 @@ def colorin(text, color="red", style="normal"):
         if style in styles:
             style_code = str(styles[style])
 
+    color = color.strip()
     if color == "none":
         # if no color, style cannot be applied
         if not debug: