diff --git a/__frzr-deploy b/__frzr-deploy
index f68a613..3ccc5f3 100644
--- a/__frzr-deploy
+++ b/__frzr-deploy
@@ -372,10 +372,18 @@ main() {
 	else
 		echo "System image ${NAME} will use an /etc subvolume"
 
+		# unlock the subvolume to be able to create a nested subvolume
+		btrfs property set -f -ts "${SUBVOL}/" ro false
+
+		# create the nested subvolume for /etc
 		btrfs subvolume create "${SUBVOL}/etc"
 
+		# create the nested subvolume for /snapshots
 		btrfs subvolume create "${SUBVOL}/snapshots"
 
+		# re-lock the subvolume. ${SUBVOL}/etc will remain R/W
+		btrfs property set -f -ts "${SUBVOL}/" ro true
+
 		btrfs subvolume create "${SUBVOL}/snapshots/etc"
 
 		# copy every stock /etc (that has been moved to /usr/etc) file to the actual /etc