diff --git a/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/templates/haproxy_single_service_split.cfg.j2 b/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/templates/haproxy_single_service_split.cfg.j2
index ec269a307a..6cb40fa2ec 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/templates/haproxy_single_service_split.cfg.j2
+++ b/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/templates/haproxy_single_service_split.cfg.j2
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ backend {{ service_name }}_back
         {# services can be listening on a different port than haproxy #}
         {% set listen_port = haproxy_service.listen_port|default(haproxy_service.port) %}
         {# Custom member list can use jinja to generate a semicolon separated list #}
-        {% set custom_member_list = haproxy_service.custom_member_list|default() %}
+        {% set custom_member_list = haproxy_service.custom_member_list|default(none) %}
         {# Mode defaults to http #}
         {% set mode = haproxy_service.mode|default('http') %}
         {# Use the parent host group but allow it to be overridden #}
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/bug-1872545-52f00bd340a800c2.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1872545-52f00bd340a800c2.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cb8f085e0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1872545-52f00bd340a800c2.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    Fixes issue where HAProxy would have no backend servers in its config files
+    when using the "split" config template style.