diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index bc6bcdc..3909e4a 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ gitea_root_url: https://{{ ansible_fqdn }}
 
 # home, explore
 gitea_landing_page: explore
+gitea_create_service_user: True
 gitea_user: gitea
 gitea_group: '{{ gitea_user }}'
 gitea_run_mode: prod
diff --git a/tasks/gitea.yml b/tasks/gitea.yml
index b1dc276..3348965 100644
--- a/tasks/gitea.yml
+++ b/tasks/gitea.yml
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 - block:
   - name: Create the gitea service user
     user: name={{ gitea_user }} home=/srv/gitea createhome=yes shell=/bin/bash system=yes
+    when: gitea_create_service_user
 
   - name: Create the gitea directory tree
     file: dest={{ gitea_data_dir }}/{{ item }} state=directory owner={{ gitea_user }} group={{ gitea_group }}