diff --git a/modules/openstack_project/manifests/gerrit.pp b/modules/openstack_project/manifests/gerrit.pp
index 6eda3c4e08..028f3ebb1c 100644
--- a/modules/openstack_project/manifests/gerrit.pp
+++ b/modules/openstack_project/manifests/gerrit.pp
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ class openstack_project::gerrit (
   $download = {},
   $receive_max_object_size_limit = '100 m',
   $commentlinks = [],
+  $commitmessage_params = {},
 ) {
 
   class { 'jeepyb::openstackwatch':
@@ -179,6 +180,10 @@ class openstack_project::gerrit (
     index_threads                       => $index_threads,
     download                            => $download,
     receive_max_object_size_limit       => $receive_max_object_size_limit,
+    commitmessage_params                =>
+      {
+        maxLineLength   => '72',
+      },
   }
 
   mysql_backup::backup_remote { 'gerrit':