diff --git a/.env.sample b/.env.sample
index 9801abb..e44cbd9 100644
--- a/.env.sample
+++ b/.env.sample
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 TYPE=rest-server
+ENABLE_BACKUPS=true
 
 DOMAIN=rest-server.example.com
 
diff --git a/compose.yml b/compose.yml
index f467746..e540133 100644
--- a/compose.yml
+++ b/compose.yml
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ services:
         #- "traefik.http.middlewares.${STACK_NAME}-redirect.headers.SSLForceHost=true"
         #- "traefik.http.middlewares.${STACK_NAME}-redirect.headers.SSLHost=${DOMAIN}"
         - "coop-cloud.${STACK_NAME}.version=0.13.0-1"
-        - "backupbot.backup=true"
+        - "backupbot.backup=${ENABLE_BACKUPS:-true}"
         - "backupbot.backup.path=${PASSWORD_FILE}"
     # https://github.com/restic/rest-server/issues/147
     # healthcheck: