Abstract: A tight shutoff valve seal is disclosed, wherein an easily deformable annular valve seal member is retained within an annular groove in a valve element. Protecting this seal member from erosion or damage by a fluid flowing therepast is a slidable seal retaining member which additionally retains the seal member within the groove. The retaining member is resiliently urged to a seal-protecting position when a valve employing this seal is opened, and when the valve is closed the retaining member slides on a surface of the seal member and on a surface of the valve element to allow the seal member to abut and seal against a valve seating surface.