diff --git a/.env.sample b/.env.sample
index 3887ec5..f9bd2ec 100644
--- a/.env.sample
+++ b/.env.sample
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ RETENTION_MAX_LIFETIME=4w
 #ENABLE_ENCRYPTION=true
 #TELEGRAM_APP_ID=
 #TELEGRAM_BRIDGE_PERMISSIONS="{ \"*\": \"relaybot\" }"
+#TELEGRAM_SYNC_CHANNEL_MEMBERS=true
 #SECRET_TELEGRAM_DB_PASSWORD_VERSION=v1
 #SECRET_TELEGRAM_API_HASH_VERSION=v1
 #SECRET_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN_VERSION=v1
diff --git a/compose.telegram.yml b/compose.telegram.yml
index ded9377..1d61079 100644
--- a/compose.telegram.yml
+++ b/compose.telegram.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ services:
       - HOMESERVER_URL
       - TELEGRAM_APP_ID
       - TELEGRAM_BRIDGE_PERMISSIONS
+      - TELEGRAM_SYNC_CHANNEL_MEMBERS
       - VERIFY_SSL
     secrets:
       - telegram_api_hash
diff --git a/telegram_bridge.yaml.tmpl b/telegram_bridge.yaml.tmpl
index 8575fd8..11b10d0 100644
--- a/telegram_bridge.yaml.tmpl
+++ b/telegram_bridge.yaml.tmpl
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ bridge:
     # Whether or not to sync the member list in channels.
     # If no channel admins have logged into the bridge, the bridge won't be able to sync the member
     # list regardless of this setting.
-    sync_channel_members: true
+    sync_channel_members: {{ env "TELEGRAM_SYNC_CHANNEL_MEMBERS" }}
     # Whether or not to skip deleted members when syncing members.
     skip_deleted_members: true
     # Whether or not to automatically synchronize contacts and chats of Matrix users logged into