diff --git a/docker-compose.dev.yml b/docker-compose.dev.yml
index a6490967..92a5d1ea 100644
--- a/docker-compose.dev.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.dev.yml
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ services:
       - ${REMOTE_DEBUGGING_PORT:-5678}:5678
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py migrate &&
         ./manage.py create_superuser &&
         ./manage.py create_example_users &&
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ services:
     image: adit_dev-default_worker:latest
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py bg_worker -l debug -q default --autoreload
       "
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ services:
     image: adit_dev-dicom_worker:latest
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py bg_worker -l debug -q dicom --autoreload
       "
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ services:
     image: adit_dev-mass_transfer_worker:latest
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py bg_worker -l debug -q mass_transfer --autoreload
       "
 
diff --git a/docker-compose.prod.yml b/docker-compose.prod.yml
index 80c2744b..3f8549ea 100644
--- a/docker-compose.prod.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.prod.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ services:
     hostname: init.local
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py migrate &&
         ./manage.py collectstatic --no-input &&
         ./manage.py create_superuser &&
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ services:
     <<: *default-app
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py bg_worker -q default
       "
     deploy:
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ services:
     <<: *default-app
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py bg_worker -q dicom
       "
     deploy:
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ services:
     <<: *default-app
     command: >
       bash -c "
-        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t 60 &&
+        wait-for-it -s postgres.local:5432 -t ${WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT:-180} &&
         ./manage.py bg_worker -q mass_transfer
       "
     deploy:
diff --git a/example.env b/example.env
index 50feaafa..983c14ac 100644
--- a/example.env
+++ b/example.env
@@ -100,6 +100,10 @@ SSL_SERVER_CHAIN_FILE=./chain.pem
 # The timezone used by the server.
 TIME_ZONE=Europe/Berlin
 
+# Seconds the web and worker containers wait for Postgres to accept connections
+# before giving up on startup.
+WAIT_POSTGRES_TIMEOUT=180
+
 # The calling AE title of ADIT.
 CALLING_AE_TITLE=ADIT1DEV