diff --git a/tasks/syncthing.yml b/tasks/syncthing.yml
index 5f9b44c..5e9b5bc 100644
--- a/tasks/syncthing.yml
+++ b/tasks/syncthing.yml
@@ -3,9 +3,12 @@
     path: '{{ xdg_config_dir }}/syncthing'
     state: directory
 
+# Syncthing config files should not be overwritten, 
+# see https://docs.syncthing.net/users/config.html#config-file-format
 - name: copy configuration file
   template:
     src: 'templates/{{ platform }}/syncthing.j2'
     dest: '{{ xdg_config_dir }}/syncthing/config.xml'
     mode: '0600'
+    force: false
   notify: restart syncthing