diff --git a/group_vars/all.yml b/group_vars/all.yml
index 39ac197..4814110 100644
--- a/group_vars/all.yml
+++ b/group_vars/all.yml
@@ -31,8 +31,5 @@ boot_url: https://boot.foo.sh
 # ssh public keys for logsync user
 logsync_publickeys: "{{ lookup('file', '../files/ssh/logsync.pub') }}"
 
-# ssh public keys for backup user
-backup_publickeys: "{{ lookup('file', '../files/ssh/backup.pub') }}"
-
 # hardcode this for now
 ansible_datacenter: home
diff --git a/roles/sftpuser/tasks/main.yml b/roles/sftpuser/tasks/main.yml
index 412826c..4821c6c 100644
--- a/roles/sftpuser/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/sftpuser/tasks/main.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 - name: "Create authorized_keys for {{ user }}"
   ansible.builtin.copy:
     dest: "/etc/ssh/authorized_keys.{{ user }}"
-    content: "{{ publickeys | join('\n') + '\n'}}"
+    src: ../files/ssh/backup.pub
     mode: "0640"
     owner: root
     group: "{{ user }}"