diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index aca60cdd0e4..03dc1f4fd71 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+
+
 ![](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/176499/96893278-ebc67580-1460-11eb-9530-d5df3a3d65d0.png) [![NPM Package](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/hardhat.svg?style=flat-square)](https://www.npmjs.org/package/hardhat) [![GitPOAP Badge](https://public-api.gitpoap.io/v1/repo/NomicFoundation/hardhat/badge)](https://www.gitpoap.io/gh/NomicFoundation/hardhat)
 
 ---
diff --git a/scripts/validate-pull-request.mjs b/scripts/validate-pull-request.mjs
index 4363ae31e5f..44dc04277f8 100644
--- a/scripts/validate-pull-request.mjs
+++ b/scripts/validate-pull-request.mjs
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ async function hasChangeset() {
   }
 
   const { stdout } = await exec(
-    `git diff --name-only --diff-filter=A ${process.env.GITHUB_BASE_REF} -- ${changesetDir}`
+    `git diff --name-only --diff-filter=A ${process.env.GITHUB_BASE_REF.trim()} -- ${changesetDir}`
   );
 
   const changesets = stdout.trim().split("\n")