diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 55f2f6b..23776c8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ Enables Coudwatch logging for API Gateway events
 ```yaml
 ...
 
+custom:
+  stageVariables:
+    thirdPartyEndpoint: http://supercool.endpoint.com/openapi/something
+
+
 plugins:
   - serverless-enable-api-logs
 
diff --git a/src/index.js b/src/index.js
index 656f055..8ed2712 100644
--- a/src/index.js
+++ b/src/index.js
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ module.exports = Class.extend({
     const template = this._serverless.service.provider.compiledCloudFormationTemplate;
 
     // setup variables, if any are defined
-    /*
+    
     var variables = {};
-    if (this._serverless.service.custom.stageVariables) {
+
+    if (this._serverless.service.custom && this._serverless.service.custom.stageVariables) {
       variables = this._serverless.service.custom.stageVariables;
     }
-*/
+
 
     // find the correct stage name
     var stage = this._serverless.service.defaults.stage;
@@ -51,7 +52,8 @@ module.exports = Class.extend({
           LoggingLevel: "INFO",
           ResourcePath: "/*",
           MetricsEnabled: true
-        }]
+        }],
+        Variables: variables
       }
     }