```
diff --git a/src/Jackalope/Property.php b/src/Jackalope/Property.php
index 7a6b61d..782b86b 100644
--- a/src/Jackalope/Property.php
+++ b/src/Jackalope/Property.php
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ class Property extends Item implements IteratorAggregate, PropertyInterface
         }
 
         // Need to check both value and type, as native php type string is used for a number of phpcr types
-        if ($this->value !== $value || $this->type !== $type) {
+        if (!$this->getDefinition()->isProtected() && ($this->value !== $value || $this->type !== $type)) {
             $this->setModified();
         }
 
```