diff --git a/ethereum/executionclient/src/main/java/tech/pegasys/teku/ethereum/executionclient/schema/Response.java b/ethereum/executionclient/src/main/java/tech/pegasys/teku/ethereum/executionclient/schema/Response.java
index 4890db704a2..fcc02ee8f06 100644
--- a/ethereum/executionclient/src/main/java/tech/pegasys/teku/ethereum/executionclient/schema/Response.java
+++ b/ethereum/executionclient/src/main/java/tech/pegasys/teku/ethereum/executionclient/schema/Response.java
@@ -67,7 +67,10 @@ public T getPayload() {
   }
 
   public String getErrorMessage() {
-    return errorMessage;
+    if (errorMessage != null) {
+      return errorMessage.strip();
+    }
+    return null;
   }
 
   public boolean isSuccess() {