diff --git a/roles/bodhi2/base/templates/staging.ini.j2 b/roles/bodhi2/base/templates/staging.ini.j2
index 19be28094b..39c4c8fe37 100644
--- a/roles/bodhi2/base/templates/staging.ini.j2
+++ b/roles/bodhi2/base/templates/staging.ini.j2
@@ -138,7 +138,8 @@ arches = i386 x86_64 armhfp
 ## Email setting
 ##
 
-smtp_server = bastion
+# Keep email disabled in staging so rube doesn't spam helpless packagers.
+#smtp_server = bastion
 
 # The updates system itself.  This email address is used in fetching Bugzilla
 # information, as well as email notifications