diff --git a/custom/conf/app.example.ini b/custom/conf/app.example.ini
index d6c73fbe57..a15b9be54f 100644
--- a/custom/conf/app.example.ini
+++ b/custom/conf/app.example.ini
@@ -643,8 +643,8 @@ HOST =
 DISABLE_HELO =
 ; Custom hostname for HELO operation, if no value is provided, one is retrieved from system.
 HELO_HOSTNAME =
-; Do not verify the certificate of the server. Only use this for self-signed certificates
-SKIP_VERIFY =
+; Whether or not to skip verification of certificates; `true` to disable verification. This option is unsafe. Consider adding the certificate to the system trust store instead.
+SKIP_VERIFY = false
 ; Use client certificate
 USE_CERTIFICATE = false
 CERT_FILE = custom/mailer/cert.pem
diff --git a/docs/content/doc/advanced/config-cheat-sheet.en-us.md b/docs/content/doc/advanced/config-cheat-sheet.en-us.md
index 4fa0910b1f..b659b5daac 100644
--- a/docs/content/doc/advanced/config-cheat-sheet.en-us.md
+++ b/docs/content/doc/advanced/config-cheat-sheet.en-us.md
@@ -408,7 +408,8 @@ set name for unique queues. Individual queues will default to
 - `USER`: **\<empty\>**: Username of mailing user (usually the sender's e-mail address).
 - `PASSWD`: **\<empty\>**: Password of mailing user.  Use \`your password\` for quoting if you use special characters in the password.
    - Please note: authentication is only supported when the SMTP server communication is encrypted with TLS (this can be via `STARTTLS`) or `HOST=localhost`. See [Email Setup]({{< relref "doc/usage/email-setup.en-us.md" >}}) for more information.
-- `SKIP_VERIFY`: **\<empty\>**: Do not verify the self-signed certificates.
+- `SKIP_VERIFY`: **false**: Whether or not to skip verification of certificates; `true` to disable verification.
+   - **Warning:** This option is unsafe. Consider adding the certificate to the system trust store instead.
    - **Note:** Gitea only supports SMTP with STARTTLS.
 - `SUBJECT_PREFIX`: **\<empty\>**: Prefix to be placed before e-mail subject lines.
 - `MAILER_TYPE`: **smtp**: \[smtp, sendmail, dummy\]