diff --git a/src/txnupd.cpp b/src/txnupd.cpp
index 3d87d2b..dbcc701 100644
--- a/src/txnupd.cpp
+++ b/src/txnupd.cpp
@@ -168,6 +168,16 @@ static bool configureTransactionContext(PluginHandle * handle) {
         return false;
     }
 
+    /* Disable protection of the running kernel, as this type of transaction never
+     * impacts the running system and it could misguidedly stop upgrades.
+     */
+    if (!dnf_conf_main_set_option("protect_running_kernel", DNF_CONF_PLUGINDEFAULT, "0", NULL)) {
+	auto protectkernel_msg = std::string(info.name) + ": " + __func__ +
+			   ": Error: protect_running_kernel was not successfully disabled!";
+	logger->error(protectkernel_msg);
+        return false;
+    }
+
     return true;
 }