diff --git a/roles/matrix/defaults/main.yml b/roles/matrix/defaults/main.yml
index 7f7fba5..69d9cdd 100644
--- a/roles/matrix/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix/defaults/main.yml
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ matrix_synapse_servername: matrix.example.com
 matrix_synapse_domain: "{{ matrix_synapse_servername }}"
 
 # Additional synapse ENV options (keys will automatically be prefixed with SYNAPSE_) see https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/tree/develop/docker#generating-a-configuration-file
-matrix_synapse_options: []
+# Note: Some keys are needed for generating the initial config file like "SYNAPSE_REPORT_STATS" and "SYNAPSE_SERVER_NAME"!
+matrix_synapse_options: {}
 
 # The database password to use
 matrix_database_password: "{{ lookup('passwordstore',  matrix_synapse_domain +  '/db create=true length=42') }}"