diff --git a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/defaults/main.yml b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/defaults/main.yml
index 1b89bea6d..168d08f70 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/defaults/main.yml
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ matrix_mautrix_googlechat_systemd_wanted_services_list: []
 matrix_mautrix_googlechat_appservice_token: ''
 matrix_mautrix_googlechat_homeserver_token: ''
 
+# Whether or not created rooms should have federation enabled.
+# If false, created portal rooms will never be federated.
+matrix_mautrix_googlechat_federate_rooms: true
 
 # Database-related configuration fields.
 #
diff --git a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/templates/config.yaml.j2 b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/templates/config.yaml.j2
index c54ffac2c..e2af88308 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/templates/config.yaml.j2
+++ b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-googlechat/templates/config.yaml.j2
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ bridge:
         # This will cause the bridge bot to be in private chats for the encryption to work properly.
         default: false
 
+    # Whether or not created rooms should have federation enabled.
+    # If false, created portal rooms will never be federated.
+    federate_rooms: {{ matrix_mautrix_googlechat_federate_rooms|to_json }}
     # Public website and API configs
     web:
         # Auth server config