diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 7f80a72ce..cf3705af0 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ POSTGRES_DB=fedireads
 POSTGRES_HOST=db
 
 # Redis activity stream manager
+MAX_STREAM_LENGTH=200
 REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST=redis_activity
 REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT=6379
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/settings.py b/bookwyrm/settings.py
index 368064355..b615fa293 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/settings.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/settings.py
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ WSGI_APPLICATION = "bookwyrm.wsgi.application"
 REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST = env("REDIS_ACTIVITY_HOST", "localhost")
 REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT = env("REDIS_ACTIVITY_PORT", 6379)
 
-MAX_STREAM_LENGTH = env("MAX_STREAM_LENGTH", 200)
+MAX_STREAM_LENGTH = int(env("MAX_STREAM_LENGTH", 200))
 STREAMS = ["home", "local", "federated"]
 
 # Database