diff --git a/group_vars/matrix_servers b/group_vars/matrix_servers
index c42054d7..735581a2 100755
--- a/group_vars/matrix_servers
+++ b/group_vars/matrix_servers
@@ -249,11 +249,14 @@ matrix_mautrix_hangouts_login_shared_secret: "{{ matrix_synapse_ext_password_pro
 
 matrix_mautrix_signal_enabled: false
 
+# TODO: unclear whether to put this into the role or keep it here
 matrix_mautrix_signal_systemd_required_services_list: |
   {{
     ['docker.service']
     +
     (['matrix-synapse.service'] if matrix_synapse_enabled else [])
+    +
+    ['matrix-mautrix-signal-daemon.service', 'matrix-mautrix-signal-db.service']
   }}
 
 matrix_mautrix_signal_appservice_token: "{{ matrix_synapse_macaroon_secret_key | password_hash('sha512', 'si.as.token') | to_uuid }}"
diff --git a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-signal/defaults/main.yml b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-signal/defaults/main.yml
index 0e970591..85ae6992 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-signal/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix-bridge-mautrix-signal/defaults/main.yml
@@ -39,7 +39,12 @@ matrix_mautrix_signal_container_http_host_bind_port: ''
 matrix_mautrix_signal_container_extra_arguments: []
 
 # List of systemd services that matrix-mautrix-signal.service depends on.
-matrix_mautrix_signal_systemd_required_services_list: ['docker.service', 'matrix-mautrix-signal-daemon.service', 'matrix-mautrix-signal-db.service']
+# TODO: unclear whether to put this into group_vars or keep it here
+matrix_mautrix_signal_systemd_required_services_list:
+  - 'docker.service'
+  - "{{ 'matrix-synapse.service' if matrix_synapse_enabled else [] }}"
+  - 'matrix-mautrix-signal-daemon.service'
+  - 'matrix-mautrix-signal-db.service'
 
 # List of systemd services that matrix-mautrix-signal.service wants
 matrix_mautrix_signal_systemd_wanted_services_list: []