diff --git a/rorapi/common/queries.py b/rorapi/common/queries.py
index 2de6aa7..7bedcfd 100644
--- a/rorapi/common/queries.py
+++ b/rorapi/common/queries.py
@@ -308,6 +308,7 @@ def build_search_query(params, version):
         ]
         # normalize filter values based on casing conventions used in ROR records
         for f in filters:
+            f[1] = " ".join(f[1].split())
             if f[0] == "types":
                 if version == "v2":
                     f[1] = f[1].lower()
diff --git a/rorapi/tests/tests_unit/tests_queries_v2.py b/rorapi/tests/tests_unit/tests_queries_v2.py
index 0b1c0e8..dca80f3 100644
--- a/rorapi/tests/tests_unit/tests_queries_v2.py
+++ b/rorapi/tests/tests_unit/tests_queries_v2.py
@@ -370,6 +370,20 @@ def test_filter_status_filter(self):
         query = build_search_query({'filter': f}, self.V2_VERSION)
         self.assertEquals(query.to_dict(), expected)
 
+    def test_filter_whitespace_normalization(self):
+        f = 'locations.geonames_details.country_name:South  Africa'
+        expected = {'query': {
+            'bool': {
+                'filter': [
+                    {'terms': {'locations.geonames_details.country_name': ('South Africa',)}},
+                    {'terms': {'status': ['active']}}
+                ],
+            }
+        }}
+        expected.update(self.default_query)
+        query = build_search_query({'filter': f}, self.V2_VERSION)
+        self.assertEquals(query.to_dict(), expected)
+
     def test_filter_all_status(self):
         f = 'key1:val1,k2:value2'
         expected = {'query': {