diff --git a/config/config.exs b/config/config.exs
index f32f488..cf41a10 100644
--- a/config/config.exs
+++ b/config/config.exs
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ config :aprsme,
   aprs_is_password: System.get_env("APRS_PASSCODE"),
   auto_migrate: true,
   env: config_env(),
+  # Packet retention period in days (default: 365 days = 1 year)
+  packet_retention_days: String.to_integer(System.get_env("PACKET_RETENTION_DAYS", "365")),
   # GenStage packet processing configuration
   packet_pipeline: [
     max_buffer_size: 1000,