diff --git a/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/eigenlayer.rs b/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/eigenlayer.rs
index 2a87f69d..a72ac5ef 100644
--- a/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/eigenlayer.rs
+++ b/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/eigenlayer.rs
@@ -145,6 +145,9 @@ impl EigenLayerSubcommand {
                 let signature = Bytes::from(signer.sign_hash_sync(&signature_digest)?.as_bytes());
                 let signature = SignatureWithSaltAndExpiry { signature, expiry, salt };
 
+                // Sanitize extra data removing quotes and trimming whitespace
+                let extra_data = extra_data.trim_matches('"').trim_start().trim_end().to_string();
+
                 // TODO(nico): consolidate holesky & mainnet smart contracts
                 if chain == Chain::Mainnet {
                     let el_middleware =
diff --git a/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/symbiotic.rs b/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/symbiotic.rs
index 076273f3..94cdb9f7 100644
--- a/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/symbiotic.rs
+++ b/bolt-cli/src/commands/operators/symbiotic.rs
@@ -69,6 +69,9 @@ impl SymbioticSubcommand {
                     );
                 }
 
+                // Sanitize extra data removing quotes and trimming whitespace
+                let extra_data = extra_data.trim_matches('"').trim_start().trim_end().to_string();
+
                 if chain == Chain::Mainnet {
                     let middleware = BoltSymbioticMiddlewareMainnet::new(
                         deployments.bolt.symbiotic_middleware,