diff --git a/config/nginx.sample.conf b/config/nginx.sample.conf
index d590f5964d0..bbf8d3a4349 100644
--- a/config/nginx.sample.conf
+++ b/config/nginx.sample.conf
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ server {
     }
 
     location ~ ^/uploads/ {
+      proxy_set_header X-Sendfile-Type X-Accel-Redirect;
+      proxy_set_header X-Accel-Mapping $public/=/downloads/;
       expires 1y;
       add_header Cache-Control public;
 
@@ -99,7 +101,9 @@ server {
       break;
     }
 
-    location ~ ^/backups/ {
+    location ~ ^/(backups|letter_avatar|user_avatar) {
+      proxy_set_header X-Sendfile-Type X-Accel-Redirect;
+      proxy_set_header X-Accel-Mapping $public/=/downloads/;
       proxy_pass http://discourse;
       break;
     }
@@ -117,9 +121,6 @@ server {
     proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
     proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
     proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $thescheme;
-    proxy_set_header X-Sendfile-Type X-Accel-Redirect;
-    # required at parent level as various routes take advantage
-    proxy_set_header X-Accel-Mapping $public/=/downloads/;
     proxy_pass http://discourse;
   }