diff --git a/src/paperless/settings.py b/src/paperless/settings.py
index 163492b1e..2ccad849d 100644
--- a/src/paperless/settings.py
+++ b/src/paperless/settings.py
@@ -586,8 +586,8 @@ def _parse_db_settings() -> dict:
             options = {
                 "read_default_file": "/etc/mysql/my.cnf",
                 "charset": "utf8mb4",
+                "ssl_mode": os.getenv("PAPERLESS_DBSSLMODE", "PREFERRED"),
                 "ssl": {
-                    "ssl_mode": os.getenv("PAPERLESS_DBSSLMODE", "PREFERRED"),
                     "ca": os.getenv("PAPERLESS_DBSSLROOTCERT", None),
                     "cert": os.getenv("PAPERLESS_DBSSLCERT", None),
                     "key": os.getenv("PAPERLESS_DBSSLKEY", None),