diff --git a/.asf.yaml b/.asf.yaml
index 577f034..51049f2 100644
--- a/.asf.yaml
+++ b/.asf.yaml
@@ -14,7 +14,11 @@ github:
     rebase: true
   autolink_jira:
     - MDEPLOY
-  del_branch_on_merge: true
+  protected_branches:
+    master: { }
+    maven-deploy-plugin-3.x: { }
+  pull_requests:
+    del_branch_on_merge: true
   features:
     issues: true