diff --git a/extras/startup-scripts/patroni.service b/extras/startup-scripts/patroni.service
index 86a6f723..153ad2bd 100644
--- a/extras/startup-scripts/patroni.service
+++ b/extras/startup-scripts/patroni.service
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ Type=simple
 User=postgres
 Group=postgres
 
+# Read in configuration file if it exists, otherwise proceed
+EnvironmentFile=-/etc/patroni_env.conf
+
 WorkingDirectory=~
 
 # Where to send early-startup messages from the server