diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 8e1a4322..903469a7 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ RUN echo 'deb http://packages.erlang-solutions.com/debian jessie contrib' > /etc
 RUN apt-get update \
 	&& apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
 		erlang-asn1 \
+		erlang-base-hipe \
 		erlang-crypto \
 		erlang-eldap \
 		erlang-inets \
diff --git a/docker-entrypoint.sh b/docker-entrypoint.sh
index 151ea6df..c5749a75 100755
--- a/docker-entrypoint.sh
+++ b/docker-entrypoint.sh
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ if [ "$1" = 'rabbitmq-server' ]; then
 		ssl_ca_file
 		ssl_cert_file
 		ssl_key_file
+		hipe_compile
 	)
 
 	haveConfig=
@@ -80,12 +81,29 @@ if [ "$1" = 'rabbitmq-server' ]; then
 		fi
 
 		for conf in "${configs[@]}"; do
-			[ "${conf#ssl_}" = "$conf" ] || continue
 			var="RABBITMQ_${conf^^}"
 			val="${!var}"
-			[ "$val" ] || continue
+
+			rawVal=
+			case "$conf" in
+				# SSL-related options are configured above, so should be ignored here
+				ssl_*) continue ;;
+
+				# convert shell booleans into Erlang booleans
+				hipe_compile)
+					[ "$val" ] && rawVal='true' || rawVal='false'
+					;;
+
+				# otherwise, assume string-based (and skip or add appropriate decorations)
+				*)
+					[ "$val" ] || continue
+					rawVal='<<"'"$val"'">>'
+					;;
+			esac
+			[ "$rawVal" ] || continue
+
 			cat >> /etc/rabbitmq/rabbitmq.config <<-EOC
-			      {$conf, <<"$val">>},
+				      {$conf, $rawVal},
 			EOC
 		done