diff --git a/common/validators.cpp b/common/validators.cpp
index 8574e141ed..5fd288774b 100644
--- a/common/validators.cpp
+++ b/common/validators.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /*
  * This program source code file is part of KiCad, a free EDA CAD application.
  *
- * Copyright (C) 2013 Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@verizon.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2013 Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@gmail.com>
  * Copyright (C) 2004-2019 KiCad Developers, see change_log.txt for contributors.
  * Copyright (C) 2018 CERN
  *
@@ -291,6 +291,10 @@ bool LIB_ID_VALIDATOR::Validate( wxWindow *aParent )
     wxString val( text->GetValue() );
     wxString tmp = val.Clone();          // For trailing and leading white space tests.
 
+    // Allow empty string if empty filter not set to allow clearing the LIB_ID.
+    if( !(GetStyle() & wxFILTER_EMPTY) && val.IsEmpty() )
+        return true;
+
     if( tmp.Trim() != val )              // Trailing white space.
     {
         msg = _( "Entry contains trailing white space." );
diff --git a/include/validators.h b/include/validators.h
index 907a29d46c..6e71e34bba 100644
--- a/include/validators.h
+++ b/include/validators.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /*
  * This program source code file is part of KiCad, a free EDA CAD application.
  *
- * Copyright (C) 2013 Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@verizon.net>
+ * Copyright (C) 2013 Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@gmail.com>
  * Copyright (C) 2004-2019 KiCad Developers, see change_log.txt for contributors.
  * Copyright (C) 2018 CERN
  *
@@ -166,6 +166,9 @@ protected:
 
 /**
  * Custom validator that verifies that a string defines a valid #LIB_ID.
+ *
+ * The default validation allows empty #LIB_ID strings to allow the #LIB_ID to be cleared.
+ * Use SetStyle( wxFILTER_EMPTY ) to force a valid #LIB_ID string.
  */
 class LIB_ID_VALIDATOR : public wxTextValidator
 {