diff --git a/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/core.py b/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/core.py
index 39ac72db1..aa31a3248 100644
--- a/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/core.py
+++ b/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/core.py
@@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ class Core(CorePluginBase):
         :rtype: Deferred
         """
 
+        if not self.config["url"]:
+            return
 
         # Reset variables
         self.filename = None
diff --git a/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/gtkui.py b/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/gtkui.py
index 2c2ad0038..450832e4b 100644
--- a/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/gtkui.py
+++ b/deluge/plugins/blocklist/blocklist/gtkui.py
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class GtkUI(GtkPluginBase):
 
     def _on_apply_prefs(self):
         config = {}
-        config["url"] = self.glade.get_widget("entry_url").get_text()
+        config["url"] = self.glade.get_widget("entry_url").get_text().strip()
         config["check_after_days"] = self.glade.get_widget("spin_check_days").get_value_as_int()
         config["load_on_start"] = self.glade.get_widget("chk_import_on_start").get_active()
         client.blocklist.set_config(config)