diff --git a/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2 b/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
index d1f134079..c2364650d 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
+++ b/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
@@ -1049,10 +1049,10 @@ media_store_path: "/matrix-media-store-parent/{{ matrix_synapse_media_store_dire
 max_upload_size: "{{ matrix_synapse_max_upload_size_mb }}M"
 
 media_retention:
-{% if matrix_synapse_media_retention_local_media_lifetime|length > 0 %}
+{% if matrix_synapse_media_retention_local_media_lifetime %}
   local_media_lifetime: {{ matrix_synapse_media_retention_local_media_lifetime|to_json }}
 {% endif %}
-{% if matrix_synapse_media_retention_remote_media_lifetime|length > 0 %}
+{% if matrix_synapse_media_retention_remote_media_lifetime %}
   remote_media_lifetime: {{ matrix_synapse_media_retention_remote_media_lifetime|to_json }}
 {% endif %}