diff --git a/bundles/nginx/files/site_template b/bundles/nginx/files/site_template
index a3271e3..fdd5279 100644
--- a/bundles/nginx/files/site_template
+++ b/bundles/nginx/files/site_template
@@ -54,13 +54,16 @@ server {
     resolver 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 valid=300s;
     resolver_timeout 5s;
 
-% if create_access_log:
+% if create_logs:
     access_log /var/log/nginx/access-${vhost}.log gdpr;
+    error_log /var/log/nginx/error-${vhost}.log;
+% else:
+    # regular access_log is disabled
+    # error_log is disabled
 % endif
 % if create_timing_log:
     access_log /var/log/nginx-timing/${vhost}.log anon_timing;
 % endif
-    # error_log is disabled globally
 
 % if max_body_size:
     client_max_body_size ${max_body_size};
diff --git a/bundles/nginx/items.py b/bundles/nginx/items.py
index 4663f92..2de11db 100644
--- a/bundles/nginx/items.py
+++ b/bundles/nginx/items.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ for vhost, config in node.metadata.get('nginx/vhosts', {}).items():
         'source': 'site_template',
         'content_type': 'mako',
         'context': {
-            'create_access_log': config.get('access_log', node.metadata.get('nginx/access_log', False)),
+            'create_logs': config.get('create_logs', False),
             'create_timing_log': config.get('timing_log', True),
             'php_version': node.metadata.get('php/version', ''),
             'security_txt': security_txt_enabled,