diff --git a/applications/forms/hacker.py b/applications/forms/hacker.py
index a87ecfe90..82919147b 100644
--- a/applications/forms/hacker.py
+++ b/applications/forms/hacker.py
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ class HackerApplicationForm(_BaseApplicationForm):
             attrs={"class": "form-control", "placeholder": "+#########"}
         ),
         label="Phone number",
+        help_text="Don't worry, we won't call you or use it to contact you.",
     )
 
     github = social_media_field("github", "https://github.com/biene")
diff --git a/applications/models/base.py b/applications/models/base.py
index 5dd56d74a..68d66f34d 100644
--- a/applications/models/base.py
+++ b/applications/models/base.py
@@ -75,9 +75,9 @@ class Meta:
         max_length=16,
         validators=[
             RegexValidator(
-                regex=r"^\+?1?\d{9,15}$",
+                regex=r"^\+?1?\d{1,4}(\s?\d{1,4}){2,8}$",
                 message="Phone number must be entered in the format: \
-        '+#########'. Up to 16 digits allowed.",
+        '+#########'. Up to 16 digits allowed, with optional spaces.",
             )
         ],
     )