diff --git a/.asf.yaml b/.asf.yaml
index 10a014236c..b459434c80 100644
--- a/.asf.yaml
+++ b/.asf.yaml
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ github:
   labels:
     - apache-arrow
     - java
-  del_branch_on_merge: true
   enabled_merge_buttons:
     merge: false
     rebase: false
@@ -35,6 +34,7 @@ github:
     main:
       required_linear_history: true
   pull_requests:
+    del_branch_on_merge: true
     creation_cap:
       enabled: true
       max_open_pull_requests: 2