diff --git a/group_vars/matrix_servers b/group_vars/matrix_servers
index 74411c82b..499a714b4 100755
--- a/group_vars/matrix_servers
+++ b/group_vars/matrix_servers
@@ -425,8 +425,6 @@ devture_playbook_state_preserver_commit_hash_preservation_dst: "{{ matrix_base_d
 #
 ######################################################################
 
-matrix_bridges_encryption_enabled: false
-
 matrix_identity_server_url: "{{ ('https://' + matrix_server_fqn_matrix) if matrix_ma1sd_enabled else None }}"
 
 matrix_homeserver_container_url: |-
diff --git a/roles/custom/matrix-base/defaults/main.yml b/roles/custom/matrix-base/defaults/main.yml
index 5e743925c..35974bba9 100644
--- a/roles/custom/matrix-base/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/custom/matrix-base/defaults/main.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ matrix_domain: ~
 # Example value: "@someone:{{ matrix_domain }}"
 matrix_admin: ''
 
+# Global var to enable/disable encryption across all bridges with encryption support
+matrix_bridges_encryption_enabled: false
+
 # matrix_homeserver_enabled controls whether to enable the homeserver systemd service, etc.
 #
 # Unless you're wrapping this playbook in another one