diff --git a/bookwyrm/settings.py b/bookwyrm/settings.py
index 16241f9df..4af7afb14 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/settings.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/settings.py
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ RELEASE_API = env(
 
 PAGE_LENGTH = env.int("PAGE_LENGTH", 15)
 DEFAULT_LANGUAGE = env("DEFAULT_LANGUAGE", "English")
+# TODO: extend maximum age to 1 year once termination of active sessions
+# is implemented (see bookwyrm-social#2278, bookwyrm-social#3082).
+SESSION_COOKIE_AGE = env.int("SESSION_COOKIE_AGE", 3600 * 24 * 30)  # 1 month
 
 JS_CACHE = "ac315a3b"