diff --git a/template/pipedapi.conf b/template/pipedapi.conf
index e039caf..da4447d 100644
--- a/template/pipedapi.conf
+++ b/template/pipedapi.conf
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@ server {
     listen 80;
     server_name BACKEND_HOSTNAME;
 
+    set $backend "http://varnish:80";
+
     location / {
-        proxy_pass http://varnish:80;
+        proxy_pass $backend;
         proxy_http_version 1.1;
         proxy_set_header Connection "keep-alive";
     }