diff --git a/prestart.d/00-update-riak-conf.sh b/prestart.d/00-update-riak-conf.sh
index 4037a9b..c2379dc 100644
--- a/prestart.d/00-update-riak-conf.sh
+++ b/prestart.d/00-update-riak-conf.sh
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ nodename = riak@$HOST
 distributed_cookie = $CLUSTER_NAME
 listener.protobuf.internal = $HOST:$PB_PORT
 listener.http.internal = $HOST:$HTTP_PORT
+storage_backend = ${STORAGE_BACKEND:-bitcask}
 END
 
 # Maybe add user config items