diff --git a/reframe/core/schedulers/slurm.py b/reframe/core/schedulers/slurm.py
index 2fbd04f0a1..8e4ebb48e4 100644
--- a/reframe/core/schedulers/slurm.py
+++ b/reframe/core/schedulers/slurm.py
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ def _check_and_cancel(self, reason_descr):
             # Here we handle the case were the UnavailableNodes list is empty,
             # which actually means that the job is pending
             if reason == 'ReqNodeNotAvail' and reason_details:
-                if re.match(r'UnavailableNodes:$', reason_details):
+                if re.match(r'UnavailableNodes:$', reason_details.strip()):
                     return
 
             self.cancel()