Update app.py

app.py

@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ def respond(
     )
 
     # 3. TOKEN SETUP
-    token = hf_token.token if (hf_token and hasattr(hf_token, 'token')) else os.getenv("HF_TOKEN")
+    raw_token = hf_token.token if (hf_token and hasattr(hf_token, 'token')) else os.getenv("HF_TOKEN", "")
+    token = raw_token.strip() if raw_token else None
     if not token:
         yield "⚠️ Error: Please sign in with Hugging Face (see sidebar) or set HF_TOKEN secret."
         return