diff --git a/roles/custom/matrix-bridge-rustpush/defaults/main.yml b/roles/custom/matrix-bridge-rustpush/defaults/main.yml
index 5c324b9dd..57c674b47 100644
--- a/roles/custom/matrix-bridge-rustpush/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/custom/matrix-bridge-rustpush/defaults/main.yml
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ matrix_rustpush_bridge_backfill_max_catchup_messages: 500
 
 # How many days back to look for chats during initial sync.
 # Default in upstream is 365 (1 year). Set to 0 to disable.
-matrix_rustpush_bridge_initial_sync_days: 0
+matrix_rustpush_bridge_initial_sync_days: 365
 
 # Shared secret for authentication of provisioning API requests.
 # If set to "disable", the provisioning API will be disabled.