diff --git a/tools/frr-reload.py b/tools/frr-reload.py
index a0ddeb72b1..17bf73316c 100755
--- a/tools/frr-reload.py
+++ b/tools/frr-reload.py
@@ -1567,6 +1567,7 @@ def compare_context_objects(newconf, running):
     candidates_to_add = []
     delete_bgpd = False
     area_stub_no_sum = "area (\S+) stub no-summary"
+    deleted_keychains = []
 
     # Find contexts that are in newconf but not in running
     # Find contexts that are in running but not in newconf
@@ -1617,6 +1618,22 @@ def compare_context_objects(newconf, running):
             ):
                 continue
 
+            # Check if key chain is being deleted:
+            # - If it is being deleted then avoid deleting its contexts
+            # - Else delete its configuration without removing the root node
+            elif (
+                running_ctx_keys[0].startswith("key chain ")
+                and len(running_ctx_keys) == 1
+            ):
+                deleted_keychains.append(running_ctx_keys[0])
+                lines_to_del.append((running_ctx_keys, None))
+            elif (
+                running_ctx_keys[0].startswith("key chain ")
+                and len(running_ctx_keys) > 1
+                and running_ctx_keys[0] in deleted_keychains
+            ):
+                continue
+
             # Delete an entire vni sub-context under "address-family l2vpn evpn"
             elif (
                 "router bgp" in running_ctx_keys[0]