diff --git a/ext/pillar/gitstack.py b/ext/pillar/gitstack.py
index 008852d..6d5c551 100644
--- a/ext/pillar/gitstack.py
+++ b/ext/pillar/gitstack.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def ext_pillar(minion_id, pillar, *repos, **single_repo_conf):
             init_gitpillar_args.append(salt.pillar.git_pillar.GLOBAL_ONLY)
 
         # Initialize GitPillar object
-        gitpillar = salt.utils.gitfs.GitPillar(opts, *init_gitpillar_args)
+        gitpillar = salt.utils.gitfs.GitPillar(opts, *init_gitpillar_args, role="git_pillar")
 
     else:
         # Include GLOBAL_ONLY args for Salt versions that require it
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ def ext_pillar(minion_id, pillar, *repos, **single_repo_conf):
             init_gitpillar_args.append(salt.pillar.git_pillar.GLOBAL_ONLY)
 
         # Initialize GitPillar object
-        gitpillar = salt.utils.gitfs.GitPillar(opts)
+        gitpillar = salt.utils.gitfs.GitPillar(opts, role="git_pillar")
         gitpillar.init_remotes(*init_gitpillar_args)