diff --git a/.asf.yaml b/.asf.yaml
index 0748f94..ad07e46 100644
--- a/.asf.yaml
+++ b/.asf.yaml
@@ -30,7 +30,10 @@ github:
     rebase: true
   autolink_jira:
     - MEJB
-  del_branch_on_merge: true
+  protected_branches:
+    master: {}
+  pull_requests:
+    del_branch_on_merge: true
   features:
     issues: true
 notifications: