diff --git a/discord/client.py b/discord/client.py
index 517e4d97c..e52862ba6 100644
--- a/discord/client.py
+++ b/discord/client.py
@@ -630,7 +630,11 @@ class Client:
         if self.loop is _loop:
             await self._async_setup_hook()
 
-        data = await self.http.static_login(token.strip())
+        if not isinstance(token, str):
+            raise TypeError(f'expected token to be a str, received {token.__class__!r} instead')
+        token = token.strip()
+
+        data = await self.http.static_login(token)
         self._connection.user = ClientUser(state=self._connection, data=data)
         self._application = await self.application_info()
         if self._connection.application_id is None: