diff --git a/matter/matter/builder.py b/matter/matter/builder.py
index 2d58d62ec..b51184348 100644
--- a/matter/matter/builder.py
+++ b/matter/matter/builder.py
@@ -366,6 +366,16 @@ class PackageBuilder(object):
             print_warning("but 'dependencies: no' in config, aborting")
             return None
 
+        # protect against unwanted package unmerges
+        if self._params['unmerge'] == "no":
+            unmerges = [x for x in real_queue if x.operation == "uninstall"]
+            if unmerges:
+                deps = "\n  ".join([x.cpv for x in unmerges])
+                print_warning("found package unmerges:")
+                print_warning(deps)
+                print_warning("but 'unmerge: no' in config, aborting")
+                return None
+
         # inspect use flags changes
         allow_new_useflags = self._params['new-useflags'] == "yes"
         allow_removed_useflags = \
diff --git a/matter/matter/spec.py b/matter/matter/spec.py
index 69176cbab..6da733e45 100644
--- a/matter/matter/spec.py
+++ b/matter/matter/spec.py
@@ -192,6 +192,13 @@ class MatterSpec(GenericSpecFunctions):
                 'desc': "Allow soft-blockers in the merge queue?\n "
                 "Packages will be unmerged if yes. (yes/no)",
             },
+            'unmerge': {
+                'cb': self.valid_yes_no,
+                've': self.ve_string_stripper,
+                'default': "yes",
+                'desc': "Allow package unmerges due to Portage\n "
+                "soft-blockers resolution. (yes/no)",
+            },
             'pkgpre': {
                 'cb': self.not_none,
                 've': self.ve_string_open_file_read,
diff --git a/matter/matter_examples/entropy.particle b/matter/matter_examples/entropy.particle
index 84e2d660a..61a2f8872 100644
--- a/matter/matter_examples/entropy.particle
+++ b/matter/matter_examples/entropy.particle
@@ -51,6 +51,11 @@ not-installed: no
 # Default is: yes
 soft-blocker: yes
 
+# Allow package unmerges in the merge queue? Packages will be unmerged if yes.
+# Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
+# Default is: yes
+unmerge: yes
+
 # Allow dependencies to be pulled in?
 # Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
 # Default is: no
diff --git a/matter/matter_examples/fail.particle b/matter/matter_examples/fail.particle
index 4df4529ab..0b0f8c970 100644
--- a/matter/matter_examples/fail.particle
+++ b/matter/matter_examples/fail.particle
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ not-installed: yes
 # Default is: yes
 soft-blocker: yes
 
+# Allow package unmerges in the merge queue? Packages will be unmerged if yes.
+# Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
+# Default is: yes
+unmerge: yes
+
 # Allow dependencies to be pulled in?
 # Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
 # Default is: no
diff --git a/matter/matter_examples/misc.particle b/matter/matter_examples/misc.particle
index c7dfe0738..f3ae01f8b 100644
--- a/matter/matter_examples/misc.particle
+++ b/matter/matter_examples/misc.particle
@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ not-installed: no
 # Default is: yes
 soft-blocker: yes
 
+# Allow package unmerges in the merge queue? Packages will be unmerged if yes.
+# Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
+# Default is: yes
+unmerge: yes
+
 # Allow dependencies to be pulled in?
 # Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
 # Default is: no
diff --git a/matter/matter_examples/zlib.particle b/matter/matter_examples/zlib.particle
index 362209fbc..fa88538fc 100644
--- a/matter/matter_examples/zlib.particle
+++ b/matter/matter_examples/zlib.particle
@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ not-installed: no
 # Default is: yes
 soft-blocker: yes
 
+# Allow package unmerges in the merge queue? Packages will be unmerged if yes.
+# Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
+# Default is: yes
+unmerge: yes
+
 # Allow dependencies to be pulled in?
 # Valid values are either "yes" or "no"
 # Default is: no