diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index 4d411d8..ee7a266 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ masakari_pip_packages:
   - python-keystoneclient
   - python-memcached
   - python-swiftclient
+  - systemd-python
   - uwsgi
   - keystoneauth1
 
@@ -117,7 +118,6 @@ masakari_enable_v1_api: True
 
 masakari_etc_dir: /etc/masakari
 masakari_monitor_etc_dir: /etc/masakarimonitors
-masakari_log_dir: /var/log/masakari
 masakari_config_options: --config-file {{ masakari_etc_dir }}/masakari.conf
 
 ## Services
diff --git a/tasks/masakari_pre_install.yml b/tasks/masakari_pre_install.yml
index 2897c44..d0be707 100644
--- a/tasks/masakari_pre_install.yml
+++ b/tasks/masakari_pre_install.yml
@@ -50,8 +50,6 @@
     - path: "{{ masakari_monitor_etc_dir }}"
       mode: "0750"
       condition: "{{ inventory_hostname in groups['masakari_monitor'] }}"
-    - path: "{{ masakari_log_dir }}"
-      mode: "0755"
     - path: "{{ masakari_system_user_home }}"
     - path: "{{ masakari_system_user_home }}/cache/api"
       mode: "0700"
diff --git a/templates/masakari.conf.j2 b/templates/masakari.conf.j2
index 476ca17..2001a45 100644
--- a/templates/masakari.conf.j2
+++ b/templates/masakari.conf.j2
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ masakari_api_listen = 0.0.0.0
 # Enable to specify port other than default
 masakari_api_listen_port = 15868
 debug = False
-log_dir = {{ masakari_log_dir }}
+use_journal = true
 auth_strategy = keystone
 notification_driver = taskflow_driver
 # Nova endpoint