diff --git a/packages/slate-react/src/plugins/core.js b/packages/slate-react/src/plugins/core.js
index 846f6fd98..b8ba7b893 100644
--- a/packages/slate-react/src/plugins/core.js
+++ b/packages/slate-react/src/plugins/core.js
@@ -204,6 +204,11 @@ function Plugin(options = {}) {
     // node, wrap it in a `<span>` so we have something to set an attribute on.
     if (attach.nodeType == 3) {
       const span = window.document.createElement('span')
+
+      // COMPAT: In Chrome and Safari, if we don't add the `white-space` style
+      // then leading and trailing spaces will be ignored. (2017/09/21)
+      span.style.whiteSpace = 'pre'
+
       span.appendChild(attach)
       contents.appendChild(span)
       attach = span