diff --git a/secrets/ldap-mail-common b/secrets/ldap-mail-common
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1a66ed2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/secrets/ldap-mail-common
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+LDAP_ADMIN_PASSWORD=a_real_admin_pass_word_for_2o20
+LDAP_BIND_PW=${LDAP_ADMIN_PASSWORD}
+# to note, this is unused at the moment as SASL doesnt work, but leaving this set as it wont impact anything
+SASLAUTHD_LDAP_PASSWORD=${LDAP_ADMIN_PASSWORD}