diff --git a/buildbot_nix/__init__.py b/buildbot_nix/__init__.py
index 10b13a4..697ae4c 100644
--- a/buildbot_nix/__init__.py
+++ b/buildbot_nix/__init__.py
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ def read_secret_file(secret_name: str) -> str:
     if directory is None:
         print("directory not set", file=sys.stderr)
         sys.exit(1)
-    return Path(directory).joinpath(secret_name).read_text()
+    return Path(directory).joinpath(secret_name).read_text().strip()
 
 
 @dataclass