diff --git a/corporal/fablib/deploy/corporal/rattail.conf.mako b/corporal/fablib/deploy/corporal/rattail.conf.mako
index 95295f1..a55186e 100644
--- a/corporal/fablib/deploy/corporal/rattail.conf.mako
+++ b/corporal/fablib/deploy/corporal/rattail.conf.mako
@@ -44,8 +44,9 @@ usedb = true
 preferdb = true
 
 [rattail.db]
-default.url = postgresql://rattail:${env.password_postgresql_rattail}@localhost/${dbname}
 versioning.enabled = true
+default.url = postgresql://rattail:${env.password_postgresql_rattail}@localhost/${dbname}
+default.pool_pre_ping = true
 
 [rattail.mail]
 # this is the master switch, *no* emails are sent if false