diff --git a/tools/releasetools/apex_utils.py b/tools/releasetools/apex_utils.py
index 3abef3b..1b0b89a 100644
--- a/tools/releasetools/apex_utils.py
+++ b/tools/releasetools/apex_utils.py
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@
     # --signing_args "--signing_helper_with_files=%path" to apexer
     if signing_args:
       generate_image_cmd.extend(
-          ['--signing_args', '"{}"'.format(signing_args)])
+          ['--signing_args', signing_args])
 
     # optional arguments for apex repacking
     manifest_json = os.path.join(apex_dir, 'apex_manifest.json')