diff --git a/rag/utils/es_conn.py b/rag/utils/es_conn.py
index 6cb569406..ec117f4e4 100644
--- a/rag/utils/es_conn.py
+++ b/rag/utils/es_conn.py
@@ -75,9 +75,8 @@ class ESConnection(DocStoreConnection):
             settings.ES["hosts"].split(","),
             basic_auth=(settings.ES["username"], settings.ES[
                 "password"]) if "username" in settings.ES and "password" in settings.ES else None,
-            verify_certs=False,
-            timeout=600
-        )
+            verify_certs= settings.ES.get("verify_certs", False),
+            timeout=600 )
         if self.es:
             self.info = self.es.info()
             return True