diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index ee084d8..de8ee63 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -587,10 +587,12 @@ def addQuestion():
         question = request.form.get('question', '')
         cw = request.form.get('cw', '')
 
-        if not question:
-            abort(400, "Question field must not be empty")
+        question_normalized = unicodedata.normalize('NFKC', question).replace("⠀", "").strip()
+
+        if not question or not question_normalized:
+            abort(400, _("Question field must not be empty"))
         if len(question) > int(cfg['charLimit']) or len(from_who) > int(cfg['charLimit']):
-            abort(400, "Question exceeds the character limit")
+            abort(400, _("Question exceeds the character limit"))
         return_val = func.addQuestion(from_who, question, cw)
         app.logger.debug("[CatAsk/API/add_question] finished question flow")
         return return_val[0]