diff --git a/terraform/modules/github_repository/branch.tf b/terraform/modules/github_repository/branch.tf
index 700c11d77..f1f886cd0 100644
--- a/terraform/modules/github_repository/branch.tf
+++ b/terraform/modules/github_repository/branch.tf
@@ -27,23 +27,3 @@ resource "github_branch_protection" "main" {
     required_approving_review_count = 0
   }
 }
-
-
-resource "github_branch_protection" "next-release" {
-  # Branch protection can only be enabled on private repositories if using a
-  # paid GitHub plan
-  count = var.visibility == "public" ? 1 : 0
-
-  repository_id           = github_repository.repository.node_id
-  pattern                 = "next-*"
-  enforce_admins          = true
-  required_linear_history = false
-  allows_deletions        = false
-  allows_force_pushes     = true
-  blocks_creations        = false
-
-  required_status_checks {
-    strict   = true
-    contexts = null
-  }
-}
diff --git a/terraform/modules/github_repository/repository.tf b/terraform/modules/github_repository/repository.tf
index 98e18c1db..716194df8 100644
--- a/terraform/modules/github_repository/repository.tf
+++ b/terraform/modules/github_repository/repository.tf
@@ -36,4 +36,25 @@ resource "github_repository" "repository" {
       }
     }
   }
+
+  dynamic "github_branch_protection" {
+    for_each = var.has_release_branches ? [1] : []
+
+    content {
+      count = var.visibility == "public" ? 1 : 0
+
+      repository_id           = github_repository.repository.node_id
+      pattern                 = "next-*"
+      enforce_admins          = true
+      required_linear_history = false
+      allows_deletions        = false
+      allows_force_pushes     = true
+      blocks_creations        = false
+
+      required_status_checks {
+        strict   = true
+        contexts = null
+      }
+    }
+  }
 }
diff --git a/terraform/modules/github_repository/variables.tf b/terraform/modules/github_repository/variables.tf
index d02124783..0b7aee264 100644
--- a/terraform/modules/github_repository/variables.tf
+++ b/terraform/modules/github_repository/variables.tf
@@ -109,6 +109,12 @@ variable "default_branch" {
   default     = "main"
 }
 
+variable "has_release_branches" {
+  type        = bool
+  description = "Has next-* branches for releases"
+  default     = false
+}
+
 variable "allow_merge_commit" {
   type        = bool
   description = "Set to 'false' to disable merge commits to be created within the repository."