diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bfdbd30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+variables.conf
diff --git a/update-repo.sh b/update-repo.sh
index fe3a17f..c74bda5 100755
--- a/update-repo.sh
+++ b/update-repo.sh
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ init() {
     exit 1
   fi
 
+  source ../variables.conf
+
   # TODO Check if required packages are installed
 
   echo "ArchRepo update script"
@@ -117,7 +119,6 @@ checkUpdates() {
       continue 1
     fi
 
-    exlist=""
     if echo $exlist | grep -w $name > /dev/null; then
       echo -e "\nSkipping $name ($version, temporary exception)."
       continue 1
diff --git a/variables.conf.template b/variables.conf.template
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ff9ab7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/variables.conf.template
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Copy this file as variables.conf, with the correct values
+
+exlist=""