diff --git a/api/src/constants.ts b/api/src/constants.ts
index ef9f6d4..3b29e36 100644
--- a/api/src/constants.ts
+++ b/api/src/constants.ts
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ export { io, engine };
 const connectWiseApi = axios.create({
   baseURL: `https://ttscw.totaltech.net/v4_6_release/apis/3.0/`,
   headers: {
-    Authorization: `Basic ${process.env.CW_BASIC_TOKEN}`,
-    clientId: `${process.env.CW_CLIENT_ID}`,
+    Authorization: `Basic ${process.env.CW_BASIC_TOKEN?.trim()}`,
+    clientId: `${process.env.CW_CLIENT_ID?.trim()}`,
     "Content-Type": "application/json",
   },
   timeout: 30_000, // 30 s — prevents indefinite hangs on CW API