diff --git a/kubernetes/secrets/synapse-config/homeserver.yaml.erb b/kubernetes/secrets/synapse-config/homeserver.yaml.erb
index c9c8977..06f2fa5 100644
--- a/kubernetes/secrets/synapse-config/homeserver.yaml.erb
+++ b/kubernetes/secrets/synapse-config/homeserver.yaml.erb
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ admin_contact: 'mailto:help@ocf.berkeley.edu'
 acme:
   enabled: false
 
+use_presence: false
+
 database:
   name: "psycopg2"
   args: