diff --git a/roles/custom/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2 b/roles/custom/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
index ff2533977..e8787aa8a 100644
--- a/roles/custom/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
+++ b/roles/custom/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ default_room_version: {{ matrix_synapse_default_room_version|to_json }}
 
 # Set to true to automatically forget rooms for users when they leave them, either
 # normally or via a kick or ban. Defaults to false.
-forget_rooms_on_leave: true
+forget_rooms_on_leave: false
 
 # The GC threshold parameters to pass to `gc.set_threshold`, if defined
 #