diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js b/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js
index fffbfbe8..35cae627 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-widget-list/src/ListControl.js
@@ -154,8 +154,8 @@ export default class ListControl extends React.Component {
   handleChange = e => {
     const { onChange } = this.props;
     const oldValue = this.state.value;
-    const newValue = e.target.value;
-    const listValue = e.target.value.split(',');
+    const newValue = e.target.value.trim();
+    const listValue = newValue ? newValue.split(',') : [];
     if (newValue.match(/,$/) && oldValue.match(/, $/)) {
       listValue.pop();
     }