diff --git a/basis/help/apropos/apropos.factor b/basis/help/apropos/apropos.factor
index 933761871d..010c797a55 100644
--- a/basis/help/apropos/apropos.factor
+++ b/basis/help/apropos/apropos.factor
@@ -71,4 +71,4 @@ M: apropos >link ;
 INSTANCE: apropos topic
 
 : apropos ( str -- )
-    <apropos> print-topic nl ;
+    [ blank? ] trim <apropos> print-topic nl ;