diff --git a/Makefile.include b/Makefile.include
index cee04a2a77..e4ff6b2efd 100644
--- a/Makefile.include
+++ b/Makefile.include
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ else
 endif
 export AD
 
+BOARD := $(strip $(BOARD))
+
 # mandatory includes!
 include $(RIOTBASE)/Makefile.modules
 include $(RIOTBOARD)/$(BOARD)/Makefile.include