diff --git a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/defaults/main.yml b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/defaults/main.yml
index d1397b219..a88c0bac0 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/defaults/main.yml
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ matrix_mautrix_telegram_appservice_public_external: 'https://{{ matrix_server_fq
 
 matrix_mautrix_telegram_appservice_bot_username: telegrambot
 
+# Whether or not created rooms should have federation enabled.
+# If false, created portal rooms will never be federated.
+matrix_mautrix_telegram_federate_rooms: true
+
 # Controls whether the matrix-mautrix-telegram container exposes its HTTP port (tcp/8080 in the container).
 #
 # Takes an "<ip>:<port>" or "<port>" value (e.g. "127.0.0.1:9006"), or empty string to not expose.
diff --git a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/templates/config.yaml.j2 b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/templates/config.yaml.j2
index 94694351e..10e6e32e8 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/templates/config.yaml.j2
+++ b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-telegram/templates/config.yaml.j2
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ bridge:
     parallel_file_transfer: false
     # Whether or not created rooms should have federation enabled.
     # If false, created portal rooms will never be federated.
-    federate_rooms: true
+    federate_rooms: {{ matrix_mautrix_telegram_federate_rooms|to_json }}
     # Settings for converting animated stickers.
     animated_sticker:
         # Format to which animated stickers should be converted.