diff --git a/contrib/lang/erlang-elixir/packages.el b/contrib/lang/erlang-elixir/packages.el
index 221f75657..f5f73c857 100644
--- a/contrib/lang/erlang-elixir/packages.el
+++ b/contrib/lang/erlang-elixir/packages.el
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ must be defined in `dotspacemacs/init' function to take effect.")
     :config (spacemacs|hide-lighter ruby-end-mode)))
 
 (defun erlang-elixir/init-smartparens ()
-  (add-hook 'erlang-mode-hook 'smartparens-mode))
+  (add-hook 'erlang-mode-hook 'smartparens-strict-mode))
 
 (defun erlang-elixir/init-yasnippet ()
   (add-hook 'erlang-mode-hook 'spacemacs/load-yasnippet))
diff --git a/spacemacs/packages.el b/spacemacs/packages.el
index 9cddbc805..f2ac1afa9 100644
--- a/spacemacs/packages.el
+++ b/spacemacs/packages.el
@@ -1967,8 +1967,8 @@ determine the state to enable when escaping from the insert state.")
     :defer t
     :init
     (progn
-      (add-to-hooks 'smartparens-mode '(markdown-mode-hook
-                                        prog-mode-hook)))
+      (add-to-hooks 'smartparens-strict-mode '(markdown-mode-hook
+                                               prog-mode-hook)))
     :config
     (progn
       (require 'smartparens-config)