diff --git a/packages/@angular/cli/tasks/init.ts b/packages/@angular/cli/tasks/init.ts
index e2ba1c2c96eb..8f4edd4a753f 100644
--- a/packages/@angular/cli/tasks/init.ts
+++ b/packages/@angular/cli/tasks/init.ts
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ export default Task.extend({
       rawArgs: rawArgs.toString(),
       sourceDir: commandOptions.sourceDir,
       style: commandOptions.style,
-      prefix: commandOptions.prefix,
+      prefix: commandOptions.prefix.trim() || 'app',
       routing: commandOptions.routing,
       inlineStyle: commandOptions.inlineStyle,
       inlineTemplate: commandOptions.inlineTemplate,