diff --git a/src/tabs.py b/src/tabs.py
index b1363ddd..908a0ce5 100644
--- a/src/tabs.py
+++ b/src/tabs.py
@@ -800,11 +800,7 @@ class MucTab(ChatTab):
         """
         /part [msg]
         """
-        args = arg.split()
-        if len(args):
-            arg = ' '.join(args)
-        else:
-            arg = None
+        arg = arg.strip()
         if self.joined:
             self.disconnect()
             muc.leave_groupchat(self.core.xmpp, self.name, self.own_nick, arg)
@@ -824,7 +820,6 @@ class MucTab(ChatTab):
         self.command_part(arg)
         self.core.close_tab()
 
-
     def command_query(self, arg):
         """
         /query <nick> [message]