diff --git a/Src/builtin.c b/Src/builtin.c
index 73cfe7a..a75c4b2 100644
--- a/Src/builtin.c
+++ b/Src/builtin.c
@@ -2169,7 +2169,7 @@ typeset_single(char *cname, char *pname, Param pm, UNUSED(int func),
 	    !ASG_VALUEP(asg))
 	    on |= PM_UNSET;
 	else if (usepm && (pm->node.flags & PM_READONLY) &&
-		 !(on & PM_READONLY)) {
+		 !(on & PM_READONLY) && !(on & PM_EXPORTED)) {
 	    zerr("read-only variable: %s", pm->node.nam);
 	    return NULL;
 	}