diff --git a/roles/synapse/defaults/main.yml b/roles/synapse/defaults/main.yml
index 3a29c93..c53289d 100644
--- a/roles/synapse/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/synapse/defaults/main.yml
@@ -8,11 +8,3 @@ synapse_psql_db: "{{ synapse_psql_user }}"
 matrix_max_upload_size_mb: 100
 synapse_metrics: false
 synapse_presence: true
-
-persister_workers:
-  - event_persister
-  - typing_persister
-  - account_persister
-  - device_persister
-  - presence_persister
-  - receipt_persister
diff --git a/roles/synapse/vars/main.yml b/roles/synapse/vars/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0587c1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/synapse/vars/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+---
+
+persister_workers:
+  - event_persister
+  - typing_persister
+  - account_persister
+  - device_persister
+  - presence_persister
+  - receipt_persister