diff --git a/infrastructure/server-setup/backups.yml b/infrastructure/server-setup/backups.yml
index 66459ef99..e5201a12c 100644
--- a/infrastructure/server-setup/backups.yml
+++ b/infrastructure/server-setup/backups.yml
@@ -87,6 +87,11 @@
   vars:
     manager_hostname: "{{ groups['docker-manager-first'][0] }}"
   tasks:
+    - set_fact:
+        external_backup_server_user_home: '/home/{{ external_backup_server_user }}'
+      tags:
+        - backups
+
     - name: Ensure backup application servers can login to backup server
       blockinfile:
         path: '{{ external_backup_server_user_home }}/.ssh/authorized_keys'