diff --git a/modules/openstack_project/templates/askbot/settings.py.erb b/modules/openstack_project/templates/askbot/settings.py.erb
index 54161a9262..870d992c5a 100644
--- a/modules/openstack_project/templates/askbot/settings.py.erb
+++ b/modules/openstack_project/templates/askbot/settings.py.erb
@@ -365,6 +365,14 @@ LIVESETTINGS_OPTIONS = {
     1: {
         'DB': True,
         'SETTINGS': {
+            'ACCESS_CONTROL': {
+                'READ_ONLY_MODE_ENABLED': True,
+                'READ_ONLY_MESSAGE':
+                    'The ask.openstack.org website will be read-only from '
+                    'now on. Please ask questions on the openstack-discuss '
+                    'mailing-list or on stackoverflow.com instead (use the '
+                    '"openstack" tag).'
+            },
             'GENERAL_SKIN_SETTINGS': {
                 <% if @custom_theme_enabled %>
                 'ASKBOT_DEFAULT_SKIN': '<%= @custom_theme_name %>',