diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index e4477c43..01f6963a 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.17.0-develop62
+1.17.0-develop63
diff --git a/modules/meta.py b/modules/meta.py
index fb2184dd..9bc36851 100644
--- a/modules/meta.py
+++ b/modules/meta.py
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class DataFile:
                         if prefix:
                             for op in util.get_list(prefix):
                                 if variables[name_var].startswith(f"{op} "):
-                                    sort_name = f"{variables[name_var][len(op):].lstrip()}, {op}"
+                                    sort_name = f"{variables[name_var][len(op):].strip()}, {op}"
                                     break
                         else:
                             raise Failed(f"{self.data_type} Error: template sub-attribute move_prefix is blank")