diff --git a/Options.py b/Options.py
index 826e45a5..d4e42fc0 100644
--- a/Options.py
+++ b/Options.py
@@ -1474,8 +1474,10 @@ class ItemLinks(OptionList):
         super(ItemLinks, self).verify(world, player_name, plando_options)
         existing_links = set()
         for link in self.value:
+            link["name"] = link["name"].strip()[:16].strip()
             if link["name"] in existing_links:
-                raise Exception(f"You cannot have more than one link named {link['name']}.")
+                raise Exception(f"Item link names are limited to their first 16 characters and must be unique. "
+                                f"You have more than one link named '{link['name']}'.")
             existing_links.add(link["name"])
 
             pool = self.verify_items(link["item_pool"], link["name"], "item_pool", world)