diff --git a/CHANGELOG.asciidoc b/CHANGELOG.asciidoc
index 611e2ccf8ad..f10062d1b9a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.asciidoc
+++ b/CHANGELOG.asciidoc
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ https://github.com/elastic/beats/compare/v6.0.0-beta1...master[Check the HEAD di
 - The log directory (`path.log`) for Windows services is now set to `C:\ProgramData\[beatname]\logs`. {issue}4764[4764]
 - Fail if removed setting output.X.flush_interval is explicitly configured.
 - Rename the `/usr/bin/beatname.sh` script (e.g. `metricbeat.sh`) to `/usr/bin/beatname`. {pull}4933[4933]
+- Beat does not start if elasticsearch index pattern was modified but not the template name and pattern. {issue}4769[4769]
 
 *Auditbeat*
 
diff --git a/auditbeat/auditbeat.reference.yml b/auditbeat/auditbeat.reference.yml
index 049ba139cac..45c92fecc4c 100644
--- a/auditbeat/auditbeat.reference.yml
+++ b/auditbeat/auditbeat.reference.yml
@@ -209,6 +209,7 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 
   # Optional index name. The default is "auditbeat" plus date
   # and generates [auditbeat-]YYYY.MM.DD keys.
+  # In case you modify this pattern you must update setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern accordingly.
   #index: "auditbeat-%{[beat.version]}-%{+yyyy.MM.dd}"
 
   # Optional ingest node pipeline. By default no pipeline will be used.
@@ -666,10 +667,14 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 # Set to false to disable template loading.
 #setup.template.enabled: true
 
-# Template name. By default the template name is auditbeat.
-# The version of the beat will always be appended to the given name
-# so the final name is auditbeat-%{[beat.version]}.
-#setup.template.name: "auditbeat"
+# Template name. By default the template name is "auditbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.name: "auditbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+
+# Template patttern. By default the template patter is "-%{[beat.version]}-*" to apply to the default index settings.
+# The first part is the version of the beat and then -* is used to match all daily indicies.
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.pattern: "auditbeat-%{[beat.version]}-*"
 
 # Path to fields.yml file to generate the template
 #setup.template.fields: "${path.config}/fields.yml"
diff --git a/filebeat/filebeat.reference.yml b/filebeat/filebeat.reference.yml
index 058d4d88dee..a3df4633cd1 100644
--- a/filebeat/filebeat.reference.yml
+++ b/filebeat/filebeat.reference.yml
@@ -629,6 +629,7 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 
   # Optional index name. The default is "filebeat" plus date
   # and generates [filebeat-]YYYY.MM.DD keys.
+  # In case you modify this pattern you must update setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern accordingly.
   #index: "filebeat-%{[beat.version]}-%{+yyyy.MM.dd}"
 
   # Optional ingest node pipeline. By default no pipeline will be used.
@@ -1086,10 +1087,14 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 # Set to false to disable template loading.
 #setup.template.enabled: true
 
-# Template name. By default the template name is filebeat.
-# The version of the beat will always be appended to the given name
-# so the final name is filebeat-%{[beat.version]}.
-#setup.template.name: "filebeat"
+# Template name. By default the template name is "filebeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.name: "filebeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+
+# Template patttern. By default the template patter is "-%{[beat.version]}-*" to apply to the default index settings.
+# The first part is the version of the beat and then -* is used to match all daily indicies.
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.pattern: "filebeat-%{[beat.version]}-*"
 
 # Path to fields.yml file to generate the template
 #setup.template.fields: "${path.config}/fields.yml"
diff --git a/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat.yml.j2 b/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat.yml.j2
index bf61fd1c244..7ab3e3115e7 100644
--- a/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat.yml.j2
+++ b/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat.yml.j2
@@ -133,6 +133,11 @@ geoip:
   ]
 {%- endif %}
 
+{% if setup_template_name is not none %}
+setup.template.name: setup_template_name
+setup.template.pattern: setup_template_pattern
+{%- endif %}
+
 {%- if processors %}
 
 #================================ Filters =====================================
diff --git a/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat_modules.yml.j2 b/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat_modules.yml.j2
index 3e8083fc037..b62c9c293c9 100644
--- a/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat_modules.yml.j2
+++ b/filebeat/tests/system/config/filebeat_modules.yml.j2
@@ -2,3 +2,6 @@ filebeat.registry_file: {{ beat.working_dir + '/' }}{{ registryFile|default("reg
 
 output.elasticsearch.hosts: ["{{ elasticsearch_url }}"]
 output.elasticsearch.index: {{ index_name }}
+
+setup.template.name: {{ index_name }}
+setup.template.pattern: {{ index_name }}*
diff --git a/filebeat/tests/system/test_modules.py b/filebeat/tests/system/test_modules.py
index 4b0f79bc59d..582a80b444e 100644
--- a/filebeat/tests/system/test_modules.py
+++ b/filebeat/tests/system/test_modules.py
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ def test_modules(self):
             template_name="filebeat_modules",
             output=cfgfile,
             index_name=self.index_name,
-            elasticsearch_url=self.elasticsearch_url)
+            elasticsearch_url=self.elasticsearch_url
+        )
 
         for module in modules:
             path = os.path.join(self.modules_path, module)
@@ -161,6 +162,8 @@ def test_prospector_pipeline_config(self):
                 pipeline="estest",
                 index=index_name),
             pipeline="test",
+            setup_template_name=index_name,
+            setup_template_pattern=index_name + "*",
         )
 
         os.mkdir(self.working_dir + "/log/")
diff --git a/heartbeat/heartbeat.reference.yml b/heartbeat/heartbeat.reference.yml
index c3b0ebdce58..82d975ecc47 100644
--- a/heartbeat/heartbeat.reference.yml
+++ b/heartbeat/heartbeat.reference.yml
@@ -358,6 +358,7 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 
   # Optional index name. The default is "heartbeat" plus date
   # and generates [heartbeat-]YYYY.MM.DD keys.
+  # In case you modify this pattern you must update setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern accordingly.
   #index: "heartbeat-%{[beat.version]}-%{+yyyy.MM.dd}"
 
   # Optional ingest node pipeline. By default no pipeline will be used.
@@ -815,10 +816,14 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 # Set to false to disable template loading.
 #setup.template.enabled: true
 
-# Template name. By default the template name is heartbeat.
-# The version of the beat will always be appended to the given name
-# so the final name is heartbeat-%{[beat.version]}.
-#setup.template.name: "heartbeat"
+# Template name. By default the template name is "heartbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.name: "heartbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+
+# Template patttern. By default the template patter is "-%{[beat.version]}-*" to apply to the default index settings.
+# The first part is the version of the beat and then -* is used to match all daily indicies.
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.pattern: "heartbeat-%{[beat.version]}-*"
 
 # Path to fields.yml file to generate the template
 #setup.template.fields: "${path.config}/fields.yml"
diff --git a/libbeat/_meta/config.reference.yml b/libbeat/_meta/config.reference.yml
index 478a48e97cc..6dd7c4b0c2b 100644
--- a/libbeat/_meta/config.reference.yml
+++ b/libbeat/_meta/config.reference.yml
@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 
   # Optional index name. The default is "beatname" plus date
   # and generates [beatname-]YYYY.MM.DD keys.
+  # In case you modify this pattern you must update setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern accordingly.
   #index: "beatname-%{[beat.version]}-%{+yyyy.MM.dd}"
 
   # Optional ingest node pipeline. By default no pipeline will be used.
@@ -601,10 +602,14 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 # Set to false to disable template loading.
 #setup.template.enabled: true
 
-# Template name. By default the template name is beatname.
-# The version of the beat will always be appended to the given name
-# so the final name is beatname-%{[beat.version]}.
-#setup.template.name: "beatname"
+# Template name. By default the template name is "beatname-%{[beat.version]}"
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.name: "beatname-%{[beat.version]}"
+
+# Template patttern. By default the template patter is "-%{[beat.version]}-*" to apply to the default index settings.
+# The first part is the version of the beat and then -* is used to match all daily indicies.
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.pattern: "beatname-%{[beat.version]}-*"
 
 # Path to fields.yml file to generate the template
 #setup.template.fields: "${path.config}/fields.yml"
diff --git a/libbeat/cmd/export/template.go b/libbeat/cmd/export/template.go
index 876690b6803..1403cf8b8cf 100644
--- a/libbeat/cmd/export/template.go
+++ b/libbeat/cmd/export/template.go
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ func GenTemplateConfigCmd(name, beatVersion string) *cobra.Command {
 				}
 			}
 
-			tmpl, err := template.New(b.Info.Version, version, index, cfg.Settings)
+			tmpl, err := template.New(b.Info.Version, index, version, cfg)
 			if err != nil {
 				fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "Error generating template: %+v", err)
 				os.Exit(1)
diff --git a/libbeat/cmd/instance/beat.go b/libbeat/cmd/instance/beat.go
index 22afc618bdf..6352895aedd 100644
--- a/libbeat/cmd/instance/beat.go
+++ b/libbeat/cmd/instance/beat.go
@@ -542,9 +542,11 @@ func (b *Beat) loadDashboards(force bool) error {
 // the elasticsearch output. It is important the the registration happens before
 // the publisher is created.
 func (b *Beat) registerTemplateLoading() error {
+
+	var cfg template.TemplateConfig
+
 	// Check if outputting to file is enabled, and output to file if it is
-	if b.Config.Template != nil && b.Config.Template.Enabled() {
-		var cfg template.TemplateConfig
+	if b.Config.Template.Enabled() {
 		err := b.Config.Template.Unpack(&cfg)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("unpacking template config fails: %v", err)
@@ -553,7 +555,22 @@ func (b *Beat) registerTemplateLoading() error {
 
 	// Loads template by default if esOutput is enabled
 	if b.Config.Output.Name() == "elasticsearch" {
+
+		// Get ES Index name for comparison
+		esCfg := struct {
+			Index string `config:"index"`
+		}{}
+		err := b.Config.Output.Config().Unpack(&esCfg)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		if esCfg.Index != "" && (cfg.Name == "" || cfg.Pattern == "") {
+			return fmt.Errorf("setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern have to be set if index name is modified.")
+		}
+
 		if b.Config.Template == nil || (b.Config.Template != nil && b.Config.Template.Enabled()) {
+
 			// load template through callback to make sure it is also loaded
 			// on reconnecting
 			callback, err := b.templateLoadingCallback()
diff --git a/libbeat/template/config.go b/libbeat/template/config.go
index 9aacc7e997a..eec7e6dab57 100644
--- a/libbeat/template/config.go
+++ b/libbeat/template/config.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package template
 type TemplateConfig struct {
 	Enabled   bool             `config:"enabled"`
 	Name      string           `config:"name"`
+	Pattern   string           `config:"pattern"`
 	Fields    string           `config:"fields"`
 	Overwrite bool             `config:"overwrite"`
 	Settings  TemplateSettings `config:"settings"`
diff --git a/libbeat/template/load.go b/libbeat/template/load.go
index b8648f809a0..07da99f3af2 100644
--- a/libbeat/template/load.go
+++ b/libbeat/template/load.go
@@ -42,11 +42,8 @@ func NewLoader(cfg *common.Config, client ESClient, beatInfo beat.Info) (*Loader
 // In case the template is not already loaded or overwriting is enabled, the
 // template is written to index
 func (l *Loader) Load() error {
-	if l.config.Name == "" {
-		l.config.Name = l.beatInfo.Beat
-	}
 
-	tmpl, err := New(l.beatInfo.Version, l.client.GetVersion(), l.config.Name, l.config.Settings)
+	tmpl, err := New(l.beatInfo.Version, l.beatInfo.Beat, l.client.GetVersion(), l.config)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error creating template instance: %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/libbeat/template/load_integration_test.go b/libbeat/template/load_integration_test.go
index 827927a95e3..9e21e30036f 100644
--- a/libbeat/template/load_integration_test.go
+++ b/libbeat/template/load_integration_test.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func TestLoadTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 	fieldsPath := absPath + "/fields.yml"
 	index := "testbeat"
 
-	tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), client.GetVersion(), index, TemplateSettings{})
+	tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), index, client.GetVersion(), TemplateConfig{})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	content, err := tmpl.Load(fieldsPath)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ func TestLoadBeatsTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 		fieldsPath := absPath + "/fields.yml"
 		index := beat
 
-		tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), client.GetVersion(), index, TemplateSettings{})
+		tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), index, client.GetVersion(), TemplateConfig{})
 		assert.NoError(t, err)
 		content, err := tmpl.Load(fieldsPath)
 		assert.NoError(t, err)
@@ -178,7 +178,10 @@ func TestTemplateSettings(t *testing.T) {
 			"enabled": false,
 		},
 	}
-	tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), client.GetVersion(), "testbeat", settings)
+	config := TemplateConfig{
+		Settings: settings,
+	}
+	tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), "testbeat", client.GetVersion(), config)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	content, err := tmpl.Load(fieldsPath)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
@@ -335,7 +338,7 @@ func TestTemplateWithData(t *testing.T) {
 	// Setup ES
 	client := elasticsearch.GetTestingElasticsearch(t)
 
-	tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), client.GetVersion(), "testindex", TemplateSettings{})
+	tmpl, err := New(version.GetDefaultVersion(), "testindex", client.GetVersion(), TemplateConfig{})
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	content, err := tmpl.Load(fieldsPath)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
diff --git a/libbeat/template/template.go b/libbeat/template/template.go
index 1bdc1904e42..97995d69a8e 100644
--- a/libbeat/template/template.go
+++ b/libbeat/template/template.go
@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@ package template
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"time"
 
+	"github.com/elastic/beats/libbeat/beat"
 	"github.com/elastic/beats/libbeat/common"
+	"github.com/elastic/beats/libbeat/common/fmtstr"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-ucfg/yaml"
 )
 
@@ -17,19 +20,58 @@ var (
 )
 
 type Template struct {
-	index       string
+	name        string
+	pattern     string
 	beatVersion common.Version
 	esVersion   common.Version
 	settings    TemplateSettings
 }
 
 // New creates a new template instance
-func New(beatVersion string, esVersion string, index string, settings TemplateSettings) (*Template, error) {
+func New(beatVersion string, beatName string, esVersion string, config TemplateConfig) (*Template, error) {
 	bV, err := common.NewVersion(beatVersion)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	name := config.Name
+	if name == "" {
+		name = fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", beatName, bV.String())
+	}
+
+	pattern := config.Pattern
+	if pattern == "" {
+		pattern = name + "-*"
+	}
+
+	event := &beat.Event{
+		Fields: common.MapStr{
+			"beat": common.MapStr{
+				"name":    beatName,
+				"version": bV.String(),
+			},
+		},
+		Timestamp: time.Now(),
+	}
+
+	nameFormatter, err := fmtstr.CompileEvent(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	name, err = nameFormatter.Run(event)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	patternFormatter, err := fmtstr.CompileEvent(pattern)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	pattern, err = patternFormatter.Run(event)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
 	// In case no esVersion is set, it is assumed the same as beat version
 	if esVersion == "" {
 		esVersion = beatVersion
@@ -41,10 +83,11 @@ func New(beatVersion string, esVersion string, index string, settings TemplateSe
 	}
 
 	return &Template{
-		index:       index,
+		pattern:     pattern,
+		name:        name,
 		beatVersion: *bV,
 		esVersion:   *esV,
-		settings:    settings,
+		settings:    config.Settings,
 	}, nil
 }
 
@@ -62,9 +105,14 @@ func (t *Template) Load(file string) (common.MapStr, error) {
 	return output, nil
 }
 
-// GetName returns the name of the template which is {index}-{version}
+// GetName returns the name of the template
 func (t *Template) GetName() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%s-%s", t.index, t.beatVersion.String())
+	return t.name
+}
+
+// GetPattern returns the pattern of the template
+func (t *Template) GetPattern() string {
+	return t.pattern
 }
 
 // generate generates the full template
@@ -130,9 +178,9 @@ func (t *Template) generate(properties common.MapStr, dynamicTemplates []common.
 
 	// ES 6 moved from template to index_patterns: https://github.com/elastic/elasticsearch/pull/21009
 	if t.esVersion.Major >= 6 {
-		basicStructure.Put("index_patterns", []string{t.GetName() + "-*"})
+		basicStructure.Put("index_patterns", []string{t.GetPattern()})
 	} else {
-		basicStructure.Put("template", t.GetName()+"-*")
+		basicStructure.Put("template", t.GetPattern())
 	}
 
 	if t.esVersion.IsMajor(2) {
diff --git a/libbeat/tests/system/beat/beat.py b/libbeat/tests/system/beat/beat.py
index f1a99233bd9..988653d60ca 100644
--- a/libbeat/tests/system/beat/beat.py
+++ b/libbeat/tests/system/beat/beat.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 import yaml
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
+
 BEAT_REQUIRED_FIELDS = ["@timestamp",
                         "beat.name", "beat.hostname", "beat.version"]
 
@@ -168,7 +169,7 @@ def start_beat(self,
                 "-test.coverprofile",
                 os.path.join(self.working_dir, "coverage.cov"),
                 "-path.home", os.path.normpath(self.working_dir),
-                "-c", os.path.join(self.working_dir, config)
+                "-c", os.path.join(self.working_dir, config),
                 ]
 
         if logging_args:
@@ -262,6 +263,11 @@ def setUp(self):
             shutil.rmtree(self.working_dir)
         os.makedirs(self.working_dir)
 
+        fields_yml = os.path.join(self.beat_path, "fields.yml")
+        # Only add it if it exists
+        if os.path.isfile(fields_yml):
+            shutil.copyfile(fields_yml, os.path.join(self.working_dir, "fields.yml"))
+
         try:
             # update the last_run link
             if os.path.islink(self.build_path + "last_run"):
diff --git a/libbeat/tests/system/config/mockbeat.yml.j2 b/libbeat/tests/system/config/mockbeat.yml.j2
index cd4081d33eb..03909dfb3ac 100644
--- a/libbeat/tests/system/config/mockbeat.yml.j2
+++ b/libbeat/tests/system/config/mockbeat.yml.j2
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ setup.template:
   settings:
     index.number_of_shards: 1
     index.codec: best_compression
-
+  name: {{ es_template_name }}
+  pattern: {{ es_template_pattern }}
 #================================ Logging =====================================
 
 {% if metrics_period -%}
diff --git a/libbeat/tests/system/test_template.py b/libbeat/tests/system/test_template.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..499f36ab3e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libbeat/tests/system/test_template.py
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+from base import BaseTest
+
+
+class Test(BaseTest):
+
+    def test_index_modified(self):
+        """
+        Test that beat stops in case elasticsearch index is modified and pattern not
+        """
+        self.render_config_template(
+            elasticsearch={"index": "test"},
+        )
+
+        exit_code = self.run_beat()
+
+        assert exit_code == 1
+        assert self.log_contains(
+            "setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern have to be set if index name is modified.") is True
+
+    def test_index_not_modified(self):
+        """
+        Test that beat starts running if elasticsearch output is set
+        """
+        self.render_config_template(
+            elasticsearch={"hosts": "localhost:9200"},
+        )
+
+        proc = self.start_beat()
+        self.wait_until(lambda: self.log_contains("mockbeat start running."))
+        proc.check_kill_and_wait()
+
+    def test_index_modified_no_pattern(self):
+        """
+        Test that beat stops in case elasticsearch index is modified and pattern not
+        """
+        self.render_config_template(
+            elasticsearch={"index": "test"},
+            es_template_name="test",
+        )
+
+        exit_code = self.run_beat()
+
+        assert exit_code == 1
+        assert self.log_contains(
+            "setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern have to be set if index name is modified.") is True
+
+    def test_index_modified_no_name(self):
+        """
+        Test that beat stops in case elasticsearch index is modified and name not
+        """
+        self.render_config_template(
+            elasticsearch={"index": "test"},
+            es_template_pattern="test",
+        )
+
+        exit_code = self.run_beat()
+
+        assert exit_code == 1
+        assert self.log_contains(
+            "setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern have to be set if index name is modified.") is True
+
+    def test_index_with_pattern_name(self):
+        """
+        Test that beat starts running if elasticsearch output with modified index and pattern and name are set
+        """
+        self.render_config_template(
+            elasticsearch={"hosts": "localhost:9200"},
+            es_template_name="test",
+            es_template_pattern="test-*",
+        )
+
+        proc = self.start_beat()
+        self.wait_until(lambda: self.log_contains("mockbeat start running."))
+        proc.check_kill_and_wait()
diff --git a/metricbeat/metricbeat.reference.yml b/metricbeat/metricbeat.reference.yml
index 482c60539c0..ebde2b5b23b 100644
--- a/metricbeat/metricbeat.reference.yml
+++ b/metricbeat/metricbeat.reference.yml
@@ -588,6 +588,7 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 
   # Optional index name. The default is "metricbeat" plus date
   # and generates [metricbeat-]YYYY.MM.DD keys.
+  # In case you modify this pattern you must update setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern accordingly.
   #index: "metricbeat-%{[beat.version]}-%{+yyyy.MM.dd}"
 
   # Optional ingest node pipeline. By default no pipeline will be used.
@@ -1045,10 +1046,14 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 # Set to false to disable template loading.
 #setup.template.enabled: true
 
-# Template name. By default the template name is metricbeat.
-# The version of the beat will always be appended to the given name
-# so the final name is metricbeat-%{[beat.version]}.
-#setup.template.name: "metricbeat"
+# Template name. By default the template name is "metricbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.name: "metricbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+
+# Template patttern. By default the template patter is "-%{[beat.version]}-*" to apply to the default index settings.
+# The first part is the version of the beat and then -* is used to match all daily indicies.
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.pattern: "metricbeat-%{[beat.version]}-*"
 
 # Path to fields.yml file to generate the template
 #setup.template.fields: "${path.config}/fields.yml"
diff --git a/packetbeat/packetbeat.reference.yml b/packetbeat/packetbeat.reference.yml
index 58e72b6228c..e72d7386f8f 100644
--- a/packetbeat/packetbeat.reference.yml
+++ b/packetbeat/packetbeat.reference.yml
@@ -596,6 +596,7 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 
   # Optional index name. The default is "packetbeat" plus date
   # and generates [packetbeat-]YYYY.MM.DD keys.
+  # In case you modify this pattern you must update setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern accordingly.
   #index: "packetbeat-%{[beat.version]}-%{+yyyy.MM.dd}"
 
   # Optional ingest node pipeline. By default no pipeline will be used.
@@ -1053,10 +1054,14 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 # Set to false to disable template loading.
 #setup.template.enabled: true
 
-# Template name. By default the template name is packetbeat.
-# The version of the beat will always be appended to the given name
-# so the final name is packetbeat-%{[beat.version]}.
-#setup.template.name: "packetbeat"
+# Template name. By default the template name is "packetbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.name: "packetbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+
+# Template patttern. By default the template patter is "-%{[beat.version]}-*" to apply to the default index settings.
+# The first part is the version of the beat and then -* is used to match all daily indicies.
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.pattern: "packetbeat-%{[beat.version]}-*"
 
 # Path to fields.yml file to generate the template
 #setup.template.fields: "${path.config}/fields.yml"
diff --git a/winlogbeat/winlogbeat.reference.yml b/winlogbeat/winlogbeat.reference.yml
index 668b3deac40..f38bd235a8f 100644
--- a/winlogbeat/winlogbeat.reference.yml
+++ b/winlogbeat/winlogbeat.reference.yml
@@ -173,6 +173,7 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 
   # Optional index name. The default is "winlogbeat" plus date
   # and generates [winlogbeat-]YYYY.MM.DD keys.
+  # In case you modify this pattern you must update setup.template.name and setup.template.pattern accordingly.
   #index: "winlogbeat-%{[beat.version]}-%{+yyyy.MM.dd}"
 
   # Optional ingest node pipeline. By default no pipeline will be used.
@@ -630,10 +631,14 @@ output.elasticsearch:
 # Set to false to disable template loading.
 #setup.template.enabled: true
 
-# Template name. By default the template name is winlogbeat.
-# The version of the beat will always be appended to the given name
-# so the final name is winlogbeat-%{[beat.version]}.
-#setup.template.name: "winlogbeat"
+# Template name. By default the template name is "winlogbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.name: "winlogbeat-%{[beat.version]}"
+
+# Template patttern. By default the template patter is "-%{[beat.version]}-*" to apply to the default index settings.
+# The first part is the version of the beat and then -* is used to match all daily indicies.
+# The template name and pattern has to be set in case the elasticsearch index pattern is modified.
+#setup.template.pattern: "winlogbeat-%{[beat.version]}-*"
 
 # Path to fields.yml file to generate the template
 #setup.template.fields: "${path.config}/fields.yml"