diff --git a/src/dict.c b/src/dict.c
index 73190c4..05281cb 100644
--- a/src/dict.c
+++ b/src/dict.c
@@ -1009,7 +1009,7 @@
 	    }
 	    else if (*action == 'f' && HI2DI(hi2) != di1)
 	    {
-		if (var_check_lock(di1->di_tv.v_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)
+		if (value_check_lock(di1->di_tv.v_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)
 			|| var_check_ro(di1->di_flags, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
 		    break;
 		clear_tv(&di1->di_tv);
@@ -1227,7 +1227,7 @@
     if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
 	semsg(_(e_toomanyarg), "remove()");
     else if ((d = argvars[0].vval.v_dict) != NULL
-	    && !var_check_lock(d->dv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
+	    && !value_check_lock(d->dv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
     {
 	key = tv_get_string_chk(&argvars[1]);
 	if (key != NULL)
diff --git a/src/eval.c b/src/eval.c
index 79c5488..9b9b7f4 100644
--- a/src/eval.c
+++ b/src/eval.c
@@ -1055,7 +1055,8 @@
 	    }
 	    // existing variable, need to check if it can be changed
 	    else if ((flags & GLV_READ_ONLY) == 0
-			     && var_check_ro(lp->ll_di->di_flags, name, FALSE))
+			&& (var_check_ro(lp->ll_di->di_flags, name, FALSE)
+			  || var_check_lock(lp->ll_di->di_flags, name, FALSE)))
 	    {
 		clear_tv(&var1);
 		return NULL;
@@ -1220,7 +1221,7 @@
 		semsg(_(e_letwrong), op);
 		return;
 	    }
-	    if (var_check_lock(lp->ll_blob->bv_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
+	    if (value_check_lock(lp->ll_blob->bv_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
 		return;
 
 	    if (lp->ll_range && rettv->v_type == VAR_BLOB)
@@ -1297,7 +1298,7 @@
 	}
 	*endp = cc;
     }
-    else if (var_check_lock(lp->ll_newkey == NULL
+    else if (value_check_lock(lp->ll_newkey == NULL
 		? lp->ll_tv->v_lock
 		: lp->ll_tv->vval.v_dict->dv_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
 	;
@@ -1317,7 +1318,7 @@
 	 */
 	for (ri = rettv->vval.v_list->lv_first; ri != NULL && ll_li != NULL; )
 	{
-	    if (var_check_lock(ll_li->li_tv.v_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
+	    if (value_check_lock(ll_li->li_tv.v_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
 		return;
 	    ri = ri->li_next;
 	    if (ri == NULL || (!lp->ll_empty2 && lp->ll_n2 == ll_n1))
diff --git a/src/evalvars.c b/src/evalvars.c
index 1c40f41..5ceaca4 100644
--- a/src/evalvars.c
+++ b/src/evalvars.c
@@ -1560,9 +1560,9 @@
 	*name_end = cc;
     }
     else if ((lp->ll_list != NULL
-		 && var_check_lock(lp->ll_list->lv_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
+		 && value_check_lock(lp->ll_list->lv_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
 	    || (lp->ll_dict != NULL
-		 && var_check_lock(lp->ll_dict->dv_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE)))
+		&& value_check_lock(lp->ll_dict->dv_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE)))
 	return FAIL;
     else if (lp->ll_range)
     {
@@ -1573,7 +1573,7 @@
 	while (ll_li != NULL && (lp->ll_empty2 || lp->ll_n2 >= ll_n1))
 	{
 	    li = ll_li->li_next;
-	    if (var_check_lock(ll_li->li_tv.v_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
+	    if (value_check_lock(ll_li->li_tv.v_lock, lp->ll_name, FALSE))
 		return FAIL;
 	    ll_li = li;
 	    ++ll_n1;
@@ -1646,7 +1646,7 @@
 	    di = HI2DI(hi);
 	    if (var_check_fixed(di->di_flags, name, FALSE)
 		    || var_check_ro(di->di_flags, name, FALSE)
-		    || var_check_lock(d->dv_lock, name, FALSE))
+		    || value_check_lock(d->dv_lock, name, FALSE))
 		return FAIL;
 
 	    delete_var(ht, hi);
@@ -1677,9 +1677,6 @@
     int		cc;
     dictitem_T	*di;
 
-    if (deep == 0)	// nothing to do
-	return OK;
-
     if (lp->ll_tv == NULL)
     {
 	cc = *name_end;
@@ -1710,11 +1707,16 @@
 		    di->di_flags |= DI_FLAGS_LOCK;
 		else
 		    di->di_flags &= ~DI_FLAGS_LOCK;
-		item_lock(&di->di_tv, deep, lock, FALSE);
+		if (deep != 0)
+		    item_lock(&di->di_tv, deep, lock, FALSE);
 	    }
 	}
 	*name_end = cc;
     }
+    else if (deep == 0)
+    {
+	// nothing to do
+    }
     else if (lp->ll_range)
     {
 	listitem_T    *li = lp->ll_li;
@@ -3007,8 +3009,13 @@
 		    goto failed;
 	    }
 
+	    // Check in this order for backwards compatibility:
+	    // - Whether the variable is read-only
+	    // - Whether the variable value is locked
+	    // - Whether the variable is locked
 	    if (var_check_ro(di->di_flags, name, FALSE)
-			       || var_check_lock(di->di_tv.v_lock, name, FALSE))
+			    || value_check_lock(di->di_tv.v_lock, name, FALSE)
+			    || var_check_lock(di->di_flags, name, FALSE))
 		goto failed;
 	}
 	else
@@ -3158,6 +3165,22 @@
 }
 
 /*
+ * Return TRUE if di_flags "flags" indicates variable "name" is locked.
+ * Also give an error message.
+ */
+    int
+var_check_lock(int flags, char_u *name, int use_gettext)
+{
+    if (flags & DI_FLAGS_LOCK)
+    {
+	semsg(_(e_variable_is_locked_str),
+				       use_gettext ? (char_u *)_(name) : name);
+	return TRUE;
+    }
+    return FALSE;
+}
+
+/*
  * Return TRUE if di_flags "flags" indicates variable "name" is fixed.
  * Also give an error message.
  */
@@ -3204,12 +3227,12 @@
 }
 
 /*
- * Return TRUE if "flags" indicates variable "name" is locked (immutable).
- * Also give an error message, using "name" or _("name") when use_gettext is
- * TRUE.
+ * Return TRUE if "flags" indicates variable "name" has a locked (immutable)
+ * value.  Also give an error message, using "name" or _("name") when
+ * "use_gettext" is TRUE.
  */
     int
-var_check_lock(int lock, char_u *name, int use_gettext)
+value_check_lock(int lock, char_u *name, int use_gettext)
 {
     if (lock & VAR_LOCKED)
     {
diff --git a/src/list.c b/src/list.c
index fa9843a..e4f05e5 100644
--- a/src/list.c
+++ b/src/list.c
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@
     }
 
     l = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
-    if (l != NULL && !var_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
+    if (l != NULL && !value_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
 				      (char_u *)N_("flatten() argument"), TRUE)
 		 && list_flatten(l, maxdepth) == OK)
 	copy_tv(&argvars[0], rettv);
@@ -1439,7 +1439,7 @@
     int		idx;
 
     if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) == NULL
-			      || var_check_lock(l->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
+			     || value_check_lock(l->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
 	return;
 
     idx = (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[1], &error);
@@ -1687,7 +1687,7 @@
     else
     {
 	l = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
-	if (l == NULL || var_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
+	if (l == NULL || value_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
 	     (char_u *)(sort ? N_("sort() argument") : N_("uniq() argument")),
 									TRUE))
 	    goto theend;
@@ -1955,13 +1955,13 @@
     else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
     {
 	if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) == NULL
-	      || (!map && var_check_lock(l->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)))
+	      || (!map && value_check_lock(l->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)))
 	    return;
     }
     else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_DICT)
     {
 	if ((d = argvars[0].vval.v_dict) == NULL
-	      || (!map && var_check_lock(d->dv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)))
+	      || (!map && value_check_lock(d->dv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)))
 	    return;
     }
     else
@@ -2004,7 +2004,7 @@
 
 		    --todo;
 		    di = HI2DI(hi);
-		    if (map && (var_check_lock(di->di_tv.v_lock,
+		    if (map && (value_check_lock(di->di_tv.v_lock,
 							   arg_errmsg, TRUE)
 				|| var_check_ro(di->di_flags,
 							   arg_errmsg, TRUE)))
@@ -2077,7 +2077,7 @@
 		l->lv_lock = VAR_LOCKED;
 	    for (li = l->lv_first; li != NULL; li = nli)
 	    {
-		if (map && var_check_lock(li->li_tv.v_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
+		if (map && value_check_lock(li->li_tv.v_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
 		    break;
 		nli = li->li_next;
 		set_vim_var_nr(VV_KEY, idx);
@@ -2131,7 +2131,7 @@
     if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
     {
 	if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL
-		&& !var_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
+		&& !value_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
 					 (char_u *)N_("add() argument"), TRUE)
 		&& list_append_tv(l, &argvars[1]) == OK)
 	    copy_tv(&argvars[0], rettv);
@@ -2139,7 +2139,7 @@
     else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
     {
 	if ((b = argvars[0].vval.v_blob) != NULL
-		&& !var_check_lock(b->bv_lock,
+		&& !value_check_lock(b->bv_lock,
 					 (char_u *)N_("add() argument"), TRUE))
 	{
 	    int		error = FALSE;
@@ -2282,7 +2282,7 @@
 
 	l1 = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
 	l2 = argvars[1].vval.v_list;
-	if (l1 != NULL && !var_check_lock(l1->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)
+	if (l1 != NULL && !value_check_lock(l1->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)
 		&& l2 != NULL)
 	{
 	    if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
@@ -2318,7 +2318,7 @@
 
 	d1 = argvars[0].vval.v_dict;
 	d2 = argvars[1].vval.v_dict;
-	if (d1 != NULL && !var_check_lock(d1->dv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)
+	if (d1 != NULL && !value_check_lock(d1->dv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)
 		&& d2 != NULL)
 	{
 	    // Check the third argument.
@@ -2402,7 +2402,7 @@
     else if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
 	semsg(_(e_listblobarg), "insert()");
     else if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL
-	    && !var_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
+	    && !value_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
 				     (char_u *)N_("insert() argument"), TRUE))
     {
 	if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
@@ -2475,7 +2475,7 @@
     if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
 	semsg(_(e_listblobarg), "reverse()");
     else if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL
-	    && !var_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
+	    && !value_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
 				    (char_u *)N_("reverse() argument"), TRUE))
     {
 	if (l->lv_first == &range_list_item)
diff --git a/src/proto/evalvars.pro b/src/proto/evalvars.pro
index 010e630..569a73a 100644
--- a/src/proto/evalvars.pro
+++ b/src/proto/evalvars.pro
@@ -68,9 +68,10 @@
 void set_var(char_u *name, typval_T *tv, int copy);
 void set_var_const(char_u *name, type_T *type, typval_T *tv_arg, int copy, int flags);
 int var_check_ro(int flags, char_u *name, int use_gettext);
+int var_check_lock(int flags, char_u *name, int use_gettext);
 int var_check_fixed(int flags, char_u *name, int use_gettext);
 int var_wrong_func_name(char_u *name, int new_var);
-int var_check_lock(int lock, char_u *name, int use_gettext);
+int value_check_lock(int lock, char_u *name, int use_gettext);
 int valid_varname(char_u *varname);
 void reset_v_option_vars(void);
 void assert_error(garray_T *gap);
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_const.vim b/src/testdir/test_const.vim
index 5eb2f69..c88efa6 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_const.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_const.vim
@@ -215,6 +215,14 @@
 
   if 0 | lockvar x | endif
   let x = 'again'
+
+  let val = [1, 2, 3]
+  lockvar 0 val
+  let val[0] = 9
+  call assert_equal([9, 2, 3], val)
+  call add(val, 4)
+  call assert_equal([9, 2, 3, 4], val)
+  call assert_fails('let val = [4, 5, 6]', 'E1122:')
 endfunc
 
 
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_listdict.vim b/src/testdir/test_listdict.vim
index 694ba0a..66b8406 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_listdict.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_listdict.vim
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@
 " Locked variables
 func Test_list_locked_var()
   let expected = [
-	      \ [['0000-000', 'ppppppp'],
+	      \ [['1000-000', 'ppppppF'],
 	      \  ['0000-000', 'ppppppp'],
 	      \  ['0000-000', 'ppppppp']],
 	      \ [['1000-000', 'ppppppF'],
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@
         exe "unlockvar " . depth . " l"
       endif
       let ps = islocked("l").islocked("l[1]").islocked("l[1][1]").islocked("l[1][1][0]").'-'.islocked("l[2]").islocked("l[2]['6']").islocked("l[2]['6'][7]")
-      call assert_equal(expected[depth][u][0], ps)
+      call assert_equal(expected[depth][u][0], ps, 'depth: ' .. depth)
       let ps = ''
       try
         let l[1][1][0] = 99
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@
       catch
         let ps .= 'F'
       endtry
-      call assert_equal(expected[depth][u][1], ps)
+      call assert_equal(expected[depth][u][1], ps, 'depth: ' .. depth)
     endfor
   endfor
   call assert_fails("let x=islocked('a b')", 'E488:')
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@
 " Unletting locked variables
 func Test_list_locked_var_unlet()
   let expected = [
-	      \ [['0000-000', 'ppppppp'],
+	      \ [['1000-000', 'ppppppp'],
 	      \  ['0000-000', 'ppppppp'],
 	      \  ['0000-000', 'ppppppp']],
 	      \ [['1000-000', 'ppFppFp'],
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@
         exe "unlockvar " . depth . " l"
       endif
       let ps = islocked("l").islocked("l[1]").islocked("l[1][1]").islocked("l[1][1][0]").'-'.islocked("l[2]").islocked("l[2]['6']").islocked("l[2]['6'][7]")
-      call assert_equal(expected[depth][u][0], ps)
+      call assert_equal(expected[depth][u][0], ps, 'depth: ' .. depth)
       let ps = ''
       try
         unlet l[2]['6'][7]
@@ -666,6 +666,9 @@
   call s:arg_list_test(1, 2, [3, 4], {5: 6})
 endfunc
 
+func Test_dict_item_locked()
+endfunc
+
 " Tests for reverse(), sort(), uniq()
 func Test_reverse_sort_uniq()
   let l = ['-0', 'A11', 2, 2, 'xaaa', 4, 'foo', 'foo6', 'foo', [0, 1, 2], 'x8', [0, 1, 2], 1.5]
diff --git a/src/typval.c b/src/typval.c
index db52d59..1db0d77 100644
--- a/src/typval.c
+++ b/src/typval.c
@@ -512,8 +512,8 @@
 	default:
 	    break;
     }
-    return var_check_lock(tv->v_lock, name, use_gettext)
-		    || (lock != 0 && var_check_lock(lock, name, use_gettext));
+    return value_check_lock(tv->v_lock, name, use_gettext)
+		   || (lock != 0 && value_check_lock(lock, name, use_gettext));
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/src/userfunc.c b/src/userfunc.c
index 53514de..017098d 100644
--- a/src/userfunc.c
+++ b/src/userfunc.c
@@ -3346,11 +3346,11 @@
 	if (fudi.fd_di == NULL)
 	{
 	    // Can't add a function to a locked dictionary
-	    if (var_check_lock(fudi.fd_dict->dv_lock, eap->arg, FALSE))
+	    if (value_check_lock(fudi.fd_dict->dv_lock, eap->arg, FALSE))
 		goto erret;
 	}
 	    // Can't change an existing function if it is locked
-	else if (var_check_lock(fudi.fd_di->di_tv.v_lock, eap->arg, FALSE))
+	else if (value_check_lock(fudi.fd_di->di_tv.v_lock, eap->arg, FALSE))
 	    goto erret;
 
 	// Give the function a sequential number.  Can only be used with a
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index 4418790..ea9a50a 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -751,6 +751,8 @@
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    1698,
+/**/
     1697,
 /**/
     1696,