diff --git a/.mergify.yml b/.mergify.yml
index a86be32b06..81bdae0b06 100644
--- a/.mergify.yml
+++ b/.mergify.yml
@@ -12,10 +12,18 @@ pull_request_rules:
     actions:
       queue:
         name: default
-      merge:
         method: squash
-        strict: true
-        commit_message: title+body
+        commit_message_template: |
+           {{ title }} (#{{ number }})
+           {{ body }}
+  - name: backport patches to v0.45.x branch
+    conditions:
+      - base=master
+      - label=backport/0.45.x
+    actions:
+      backport:
+        branches:
+          - release/v0.45.x
   - name: backport patches to v0.44.x branch
     conditions:
       - base=master