diff --git a/electrum/contacts.py b/electrum/contacts.py
index 8e20245bb..c09b59e22 100644
--- a/electrum/contacts.py
+++ b/electrum/contacts.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ class Contacts(dict):
         try:
             records, validated = dnssec.query(url, dns.rdatatype.TXT)
         except DNSException as e:
-            print_error('Error resolving openalias: ', str(e))
+            print_error(f'Error resolving openalias: {repr(e)}')
             return None
         prefix = 'btc'
         for record in records:
diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/paytoedit.py b/electrum/gui/qt/paytoedit.py
index cbd9fde0f..6235b85cc 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/paytoedit.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/paytoedit.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from decimal import Decimal
 from PyQt5.QtGui import *
 
 from electrum import bitcoin
-from electrum.util import bfh
+from electrum.util import bfh, PrintError
 from electrum.transaction import TxOutput
 
 from .qrtextedit import ScanQRTextEdit
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ frozen_style = "QWidget { background-color:none; border:none;}"
 normal_style = "QPlainTextEdit { }"
 
 
-class PayToEdit(CompletionTextEdit, ScanQRTextEdit):
+class PayToEdit(CompletionTextEdit, ScanQRTextEdit, PrintError):
 
     def __init__(self, win):
         CompletionTextEdit.__init__(self)
@@ -215,6 +215,7 @@ class PayToEdit(CompletionTextEdit, ScanQRTextEdit):
         if self.is_pr:
             return
         key = str(self.toPlainText())
+        key = key.strip()  # strip whitespaces
         if key == self.previous_payto:
             return
         self.previous_payto = key
@@ -225,7 +226,8 @@ class PayToEdit(CompletionTextEdit, ScanQRTextEdit):
             return
         try:
             data = self.win.contacts.resolve(key)
-        except:
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.print_error(f'error resolving address/alias: {repr(e)}')
             return
         if not data:
             return