diff --git a/pdns/ssqlite3.cc b/pdns/ssqlite3.cc
index ec28058ea85e..cd7d361e6cb0 100644
--- a/pdns/ssqlite3.cc
+++ b/pdns/ssqlite3.cc
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ int SSQLite3::busyHandler([[maybe_unused]] void* userData, [[maybe_unused]] int
 
 void SSQLite3::startTransaction()
 {
-  execute("begin");
+  execute("begin immediate");
   m_in_transaction = true;
 }