diff --git a/app/models/problem.rb b/app/models/problem.rb
--- a/app/models/problem.rb
+++ b/app/models/problem.rb
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@
   belongs_to :description
 
   validates_presence_of :name
+  validates_format_of :name, :with => /^\w+$/
   validates_presence_of :full_name
-
+  
   def self.find_available_problems
     find(:all, :conditions => {:available => true}, :order => "date_added DESC")
   end