diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/twitter_api/controllers/util_controller.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/twitter_api/controllers/util_controller.ex
index 537f9f778..824951d59 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/twitter_api/controllers/util_controller.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/twitter_api/controllers/util_controller.ex
@@ -199,15 +199,16 @@ def follow_import(conn, %{"list" => %Plug.Upload{} = listfile}) do
   end
 
   def follow_import(%{assigns: %{user: follower}} = conn, %{"list" => list}) do
-    with lines <- String.split(list, "\n"),
-         followed_identifiers <-
-           Enum.map(lines, fn line ->
-             String.split(line, ",") |> List.first()
-           end)
-           |> List.delete("Account address") do
-      User.follow_import(follower, followed_identifiers)
-      json(conn, "job started")
-    end
+    followed_identifiers =
+      list
+      |> String.split("\n")
+      |> Enum.map(&(&1 |> String.split(",") |> List.first()))
+      |> List.delete("Account address")
+      |> Enum.map(&(&1 |> String.trim() |> String.trim_leading("@")))
+      |> Enum.reject(&(&1 == ""))
+
+    User.follow_import(follower, followed_identifiers)
+    json(conn, "job started")
   end
 
   def blocks_import(conn, %{"list" => %Plug.Upload{} = listfile}) do
@@ -215,10 +216,8 @@ def blocks_import(conn, %{"list" => %Plug.Upload{} = listfile}) do
   end
 
   def blocks_import(%{assigns: %{user: blocker}} = conn, %{"list" => list}) do
-    with blocked_identifiers <- String.split(list) do
-      User.blocks_import(blocker, blocked_identifiers)
-      json(conn, "job started")
-    end
+    User.blocks_import(blocker, _blocked_identifiers = String.split(list))
+    json(conn, "job started")
   end
 
   def change_password(%{assigns: %{user: user}} = conn, params) do
diff --git a/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs b/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs
index 30e54bebd..85aaab19b 100644
--- a/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/web/twitter_api/util_controller_test.exs
@@ -95,6 +95,30 @@ test "requires 'follow' or 'write:follows' permissions" do
         end
       end
     end
+
+    test "it imports with different nickname variations", %{conn: conn} do
+      [user2, user3, user4, user5, user6] = insert_list(5, :user)
+
+      identifiers =
+        [
+          user2.ap_id,
+          user3.nickname,
+          "  ",
+          "@" <> user4.nickname,
+          user5.nickname <> "@localhost",
+          "@" <> user6.nickname <> "@localhost"
+        ]
+        |> Enum.join("\n")
+
+      response =
+        conn
+        |> post("/api/pleroma/follow_import", %{"list" => identifiers})
+        |> json_response(:ok)
+
+      assert response == "job started"
+      assert [job_result] = ObanHelpers.perform_all()
+      assert job_result == [user2, user3, user4, user5, user6]
+    end
   end
 
   describe "POST /api/pleroma/blocks_import" do