Always use DB_PRIVATE. Should probably be configured instead. Index: rpmdb/db3.c =================================================================== --- rpmdb/db3.c.orig +++ rpmdb/db3.c @@ -1050,6 +1050,9 @@ static int db3open(rpmdb rpmdb, rpmTag r #endif #endif + /* always use fcntl lock */ + dbi->dbi_eflags |= DB_PRIVATE; + if (access(dbhome, W_OK) == -1) { /* dbhome is unwritable, don't attempt DB_CREATE on DB->open ... */