diff --git a/pagure/api/project.py b/pagure/api/project.py
index 3ff92dc..493da21 100644
--- a/pagure/api/project.py
+++ b/pagure/api/project.py
@@ -333,8 +333,9 @@ def api_fork_project():
     if form.validate_on_submit():
         repo = form.repo.data
         username = form.username.data or None
-        namespace = form.namespace.data.strip() or None
-        if namespace == 'None':
+        if form.namespace.raw_data:
+            namespace = form.namespace.data.strip() or None
+        else:
             namespace = None
 
         repo = pagure.lib.get_project(