diff --git a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/defaults/main.yml b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/defaults/main.yml
index e7b5e6f6d..5be700516 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/defaults/main.yml
@@ -128,3 +128,7 @@ matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_registration: "{{ matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_registration_y
 matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_bridge_encryption_allow: false
 matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_bridge_encryption_default: "{{ matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_bridge_encryption_allow }}"
 matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_bridge_encryption_key_sharing_allow: "{{ matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_bridge_encryption_allow }}"
+
+# Minimum severity of journal log messages.
+# Options: debug, info, warn, error, fatal
+matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_log_level: 'warn'
diff --git a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/templates/config.yaml.j2 b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/templates/config.yaml.j2
index fbd41be73..d73718eaa 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/templates/config.yaml.j2
+++ b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-whatsapp/templates/config.yaml.j2
@@ -211,7 +211,8 @@ logging:
     # The directory for log files. Will be created if not found.
     directory: ./logs
     # Available variables: .Date for the file date and .Index for different log files on the same day.
-    file_name_format: "{{ '{{.Date}}-{{.Index}}.log' }}"
+    # empy/null = journal logging only
+    file_name_format:
     # Date format for file names in the Go time format: https://golang.org/pkg/time/#pkg-constants
     file_date_format: "2006-01-02"
     # Log file permissions.
@@ -220,4 +221,4 @@ logging:
     timestamp_format: "Jan _2, 2006 15:04:05"
     # Minimum severity for log messages.
     # Options: debug, info, warn, error, fatal
-    print_level: debug
+    print_level: {{ matrix_mautrix_whatsapp_log_level }}