diff --git a/lib/modules/platform/github/index.ts b/lib/modules/platform/github/index.ts
index 573dc8bf70a84a9..91c5d4b47a35b0f 100644
--- a/lib/modules/platform/github/index.ts
+++ b/lib/modules/platform/github/index.ts
@@ -1494,7 +1494,10 @@ export async function createPr({
   // istanbul ignore if
   if (config.forkToken) {
     options.token = config.forkToken;
-    options.body.maintainer_can_modify = true;
+    // We do not allow modifications from maintainers because pushes to the
+    // fork prevent deletion of the branch later on, preventing future updates.
+    // More details: https://github.com/renovatebot/renovate/issues/16657.
+    options.body.maintainer_can_modify = false;
   }
   logger.debug({ title, head, base, draft: draftPR }, 'Creating PR');
   const ghPr = (