diff --git a/deployment/.env.dist b/deployment/.env.dist
index 8b8901647..c0225d70e 100644
--- a/deployment/.env.dist
+++ b/deployment/.env.dist
@@ -1 +1,5 @@
-CONFIGURATION=example
\ No newline at end of file
+# branding folder used for "docker compose up" run in deployment folder
+CONFIGURATION=stage.ocelot.social
+
+# used in "scripts/clusters.cron-backups.sh"
+BACKUP_CONFIGURATIONS="stage.ocelot.social stage.yunite.me"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/deployment/scripts/clusters.cron-backups.sh b/deployment/scripts/clusters.cron-backups.sh
index 6d41eb9cf..560647f21 100755
--- a/deployment/scripts/clusters.cron-backups.sh
+++ b/deployment/scripts/clusters.cron-backups.sh
@@ -4,6 +4,11 @@
 SCRIPT_PATH=$(realpath $0)
 SCRIPT_DIR=$(dirname $SCRIPT_PATH)
 
+# export all variables in "../.env"
+set -a            
+source ${SCRIPT_DIR}/../.env
+set +a
+
 # check BACKUP_CONFIGURATIONS
 if [ -z ${BACKUP_CONFIGURATIONS} ]; then
   echo "You must provide a `BACKUP_CONFIGURATIONS` via environment variable"