diff --git a/dags/external_data_dag.py b/dags/external_data_dag.py
index 16720102..2aeab104 100644
--- a/dags/external_data_dag.py
+++ b/dags/external_data_dag.py
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@
     },
 )
 
+retool_start_time = "{{ subtract_data_interval(dag, data_interval_start).isoformat() }}"
+retool_end_time = "{{ subtract_data_interval(dag, data_interval_end).isoformat() }}"
+RETOOL_API_KEY = "{{ var.value.retool_api_key }}"
 
 retool_export_task = build_export_task(
     dag,
@@ -60,12 +63,12 @@
     command="export-retool",
     cmd_args=[
         "--start-time",
-        "{{ subtract_data_interval(dag, data_interval_start).isoformat() }}",
+        retool_start_time,
         "--end-time",
-        "{{ subtract_data_interval(dag, data_interval_end).isoformat() }}",
+        retool_end_time,
     ],
     use_gcs=True,
-    env_vars={"RETOOL_API_KEY": "{{ var.value.retool_api_key }}"},
+    env_vars={"RETOOL_API_KEY": RETOOL_API_KEY},
 )