diff --git a/includes/core/class-member-directory.php b/includes/core/class-member-directory.php
index 191742a9..8d0f934e 100644
--- a/includes/core/class-member-directory.php
+++ b/includes/core/class-member-directory.php
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ if ( ! class_exists( 'um\core\Member_Directory' ) ) {
 
 						foreach ( $value as $k => &$row ) {
 							if ( ! empty( $other_data[ $k ]['meta_key'] ) ) {
-								$metakey = sanitize_key( $other_data[ $k ]['meta_key'] );
+								$metakey = sanitize_text_field( $other_data[ $k ]['meta_key'] );
 								if ( ! empty( $metakey ) ) {
 									if ( ! empty( $other_data[ $k ]['label'] ) ) {
 										$metalabel = wp_strip_all_tags( $other_data[ $k ]['label'] );
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ if ( ! class_exists( 'um\core\Member_Directory' ) ) {
 						}
 					}
 				} elseif ( $key == '_um_sortby_custom' ) {
-					$value = sanitize_key( $value );
+					$value = sanitize_text_field( $value );
 				} elseif ( $key == '_um_sortby_custom_label' ) {
 					$value = wp_strip_all_tags( $value );
 				}