diff --git a/openssh/banner.sls b/openssh/banner.sls
index f301a09..362729c 100644
--- a/openssh/banner.sls
+++ b/openssh/banner.sls
@@ -6,5 +6,10 @@ include:
 sshd_banner:
   file.managed:
     - name: {{ openssh.banner }}
+    {% if openssh.banner_string is defined %}
+    - contents: |
+        {{ openssh.banner_string }}
+    {% else %}
     - source: {{ openssh.banner_src }}
     - template: jinja
+    {% endif %}
diff --git a/pillar.example b/pillar.example
index 4aa3b2e..6c40341 100644
--- a/pillar.example
+++ b/pillar.example
@@ -177,6 +177,10 @@ ssh_config:
 
 
 openssh:
+  # Instead of adding a custom banner file you can set it in pillar
+  banner_string: |
+    Welcome to {{ grains['id'] }}!
+
   # Controls if SSHD should be enabled/started
   sshd_enable: true
   auth: