diff --git a/roles/postgresql_server_bdr/templates/postgresql.conf b/roles/postgresql_server_bdr/templates/postgresql.conf
index c997e51e1c..aea2ee8c8d 100644
--- a/roles/postgresql_server_bdr/templates/postgresql.conf
+++ b/roles/postgresql_server_bdr/templates/postgresql.conf
@@ -518,3 +518,9 @@ max_worker_processes = 100
 # Useful options for playing with conflicts
 #bdr.default_apply_delay=2000   # milliseconds
 #bdr.log_conflicts_to_table=on
+
+# Do not allow getting a DDL lock without this option overridden on connect.
+# This makes sure people read the documentation for BDR for schema changes before applying.
+# http://bdr-project.org/docs/stable/ddl-replication.html
+# Override by running: sudo -u postgres PGOPTIONS="-c bdr.permit_ddl_locking=on" psql koji
+bdr.permit_ddl_locking=off