diff --git a/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/defaults/main.yml b/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/defaults/main.yml
index f629df39..a5fb3e2d 100644
--- a/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/defaults/main.yml
@@ -28,3 +28,6 @@ ilm_policy_file_location: "{{ (packetbeat_ilm_policy_file_location | default(def
 
 # beat processors. Empty dictionary sets `add_host_metadata: ~`
 processors: {}
+
+# optional list of ports to ignore
+packetbeat_ignored_ports: []
diff --git a/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/templates/packetbeat.yml.j2 b/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/templates/packetbeat.yml.j2
index 715a844e..42597021 100644
--- a/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/templates/packetbeat.yml.j2
+++ b/elk_metrics_7x/roles/elastic_packetbeat/templates/packetbeat.yml.j2
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ packetbeat.protocols:
 {% set ports = [] %}
 {% for item in heartbeat_services %}
 {%   for port in item.ports %}
-{%     if (item.type == 'http') and (not port in used_ports) %}
+{%     if (item.type == 'http') and (not port in used_ports) and (not port in packetbeat_ignored_ports) %}
 {%       set _ = ports.extend([port]) %}
 {%     endif %}
 {%   endfor %}