Char.&1 has vers.&2 hierarchy; hierarchies must remain version-dependent

What causes this issue?

The hierarchy settings for characteristic &V1& have been changed from
'version-dependent' to 'not version-dependent'. Characteristic &V1&,
however, already has version &V2& hierarchies.

System Response

Characteristic &V1& cannot be activated.

How to fix this error?

Delete all the hierarchies from characteristic &V1& that have a version
that is not empty. You are now able to activate the characteristic.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.