diff --git a/env.sh.template b/env.sh.template
index 9ccdb73..00be732 100755
--- a/env.sh.template
+++ b/env.sh.template
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
 # https://prometheus.io/docs/prometheus/latest/storage/#operational-aspects
-export retention_time="15d"
-
-# edit this variable for various startup options
-export cli_options="--storage.tsdb.retention.time=$retention_time --storage.tsdb.path=/app/data/storage"
+# edit this variable to change startup options
+export cli_options="--storage.tsdb.retention.time=15d --storage.tsdb.path=/app/data/storage"