diff --git a/mopidy/config/validators.py b/mopidy/config/validators.py
index 9e374ce5..a0ca25d9 100644
--- a/mopidy/config/validators.py
+++ b/mopidy/config/validators.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ def validate_required(value, required):
     Normally called in :meth:`~mopidy.config.types.ConfigValue.deserialize` on
     the raw string, _not_ the converted value.
     """
-    if required and not value.strip():
+    if required and not value:
         raise ValueError('must be set.')
 
 
diff --git a/tests/config/validator_tests.py b/tests/config/validator_tests.py
index 57489b6b..63ef8ca6 100644
--- a/tests/config/validator_tests.py
+++ b/tests/config/validator_tests.py
@@ -57,11 +57,13 @@ class ValidateRequiredTest(unittest.TestCase):
         validators.validate_required('foo', False)
         validators.validate_required('', False)
         validators.validate_required('  ', False)
+        validators.validate_required([], False)
 
     def test_passes_when_required_and_set(self):
         validators.validate_required('foo', True)
         validators.validate_required(' foo ', True)
+        validators.validate_required([1], True)
 
     def test_blocks_when_required_and_emtpy(self):
         self.assertRaises(ValueError, validators.validate_required, '', True)
-        self.assertRaises(ValueError, validators.validate_required, '  ', True)
+        self.assertRaises(ValueError, validators.validate_required, [], True)