diff --git a/gui/qt/network_dialog.py b/gui/qt/network_dialog.py
index 6d4baa2d..7d1b9202 100644
--- a/gui/qt/network_dialog.py
+++ b/gui/qt/network_dialog.py
@@ -224,9 +224,14 @@ class NetworkDialog(QDialog):
         if not self.exec_():
             return
 
-        host = str( self.server_host.text() )
-        port = str( self.server_port.text() )
+        host = str(self.server_host.text())
+        port = str(self.server_port.text())
         protocol = 's' if self.ssl_cb.isChecked() else 't'
+        # sanitize
+        try:
+            deserialize_server(serialize_server(host, port, protocol))
+        except:
+            return
 
         if self.proxy_mode.currentText() != 'NONE':
             proxy = { 'mode':str(self.proxy_mode.currentText()).lower(),