diff --git a/services/matrix.nix b/services/matrix.nix
index fb82e33..965e303 100644
--- a/services/matrix.nix
+++ b/services/matrix.nix
@@ -24,6 +24,13 @@ in
     services.postgresql = {
       enable = true;
       package = pkgs.postgresql_12;
+      initialScript = pkgs.writeText "synapse-init.sql" ''
+        CREATE ROLE "matrix-synapse" WITH LOGIN PASSWORD 'synapse';
+        CREATE DATABASE "matrix-synapse" WITH OWNER "matrix-synapse"
+          TEMPLATE template0
+          LC_COLLATE = "C"
+          LC_CTYPE = "C";
+      '';
     };
 
     services.postgresqlBackup = {