diff --git a/homeassistant/components/harmony/remote.py b/homeassistant/components/harmony/remote.py
index 45a8f879c0f..11e7af76253 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/harmony/remote.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/harmony/remote.py
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ class HarmonyRemote(remote.RemoteDevice):
 
             if activity_id is None:
                 _LOGGER.debug("%s: Find activity ID based on name", self.name)
-                activity_id = self._client.get_activity_id(str(activity).strip())
+                activity_id = self._client.get_activity_id(str(activity))
 
             if activity_id is None:
                 _LOGGER.error("%s: Activity %s is invalid", self.name, activity)