diff --git a/lib/search/word_search/entry_id_query.dart b/lib/search/word_search/entry_id_query.dart
index 9b3ab86..86f11f1 100644
--- a/lib/search/word_search/entry_id_query.dart
+++ b/lib/search/word_search/entry_id_query.dart
@@ -246,12 +246,12 @@ Future<List<ScoredEntryId>> fetchEntryIds(
   int? pageSize,
   int? offset,
 ) async {
+  assert(word.trim().isNotEmpty, 'Word should not be empty when fetching entry IDs');
+
   if (searchMode == SearchMode.auto) {
     searchMode = _determineSearchMode(word);
   }
 
-  assert(word.isNotEmpty, 'Word should not be empty when fetching entry IDs');
-
   late final List<ScoredEntryId> entryIds;
   switch (searchMode) {
     case SearchMode.kanji:
diff --git a/lib/search/word_search/word_search.dart b/lib/search/word_search/word_search.dart
index fa7b5a9..e777530 100644
--- a/lib/search/word_search/word_search.dart
+++ b/lib/search/word_search/word_search.dart
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ Future<List<WordSearchResult>?> searchWordWithDbConnection(
   int page = 0,
   int? pageSize,
 }) async {
-  if (word.isEmpty) {
+  if (word.trim().isEmpty) {
     return null;
   }