diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/e/easybuildmeta.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/e/easybuildmeta.py
index 20d12874e9..2f412e5218 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/e/easybuildmeta.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/e/easybuildmeta.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 import sys
 from collections import OrderedDict
 
-from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.pythonpackage import PythonPackage, det_pip_version
+from easybuild.easyblocks.generic.pythonpackage import PythonPackage
 from easybuild.tools import LooseVersion
 from easybuild.tools.build_log import EasyBuildError
 from easybuild.tools.filetools import apply_regex_substitutions, change_dir, read_file
@@ -66,27 +66,6 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
             # consider setuptools first, in case it is listed as a sources
             self.easybuild_pkgs.insert(0, 'setuptools')
 
-        # opt-in to using pip for recent version of EasyBuild, if:
-        # - EasyBuild is being installed for Python >= 3.6;
-        # - pip is available, and recent enough (>= 21.0);
-        # - use_pip is not specified;
-        pyver = sys.version.split(' ')[0]
-        self.log.info("Python version: %s", pyver)
-        if sys.version_info >= (3, 6) and self.cfg['use_pip'] is None:
-            # try to determine pip version, ignore any failures that occur while doing so;
-            # problems may occur due changes in environment ($PYTHONPATH, etc.)
-            pip_version = None
-            try:
-                pip_version = det_pip_version(python_cmd=sys.executable)
-                self.log.info("Found Python v%s + pip: %s", pyver, pip_version)
-            except Exception as err:
-                self.log.warning("Failed to determine pip version: %s", err)
-
-            if pip_version and LooseVersion(pip_version) >= LooseVersion('21.0'):
-                self.log.info("Auto-enabling use of pip to install EasyBuild!")
-                self.cfg['use_pip'] = True
-                self.determine_install_command()
-
     # Override this function since we want to respect the user choice for the python installation to use
     # (which can be influenced by EB_PYTHON and EB_INSTALLPYTHON)
     def prepare_python(self):
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonbundle.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonbundle.py
index 292cc275aa..fa2d6a39c8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonbundle.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonbundle.py
@@ -69,9 +69,6 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
                 if key not in self.cfg['exts_default_options']:
                     self.cfg['exts_default_options'][key] = self.cfg[key]
 
-            self.cfg['exts_default_options']['download_dep_fail'] = True
-            self.log.info("Detection of downloaded extension dependencies is enabled")
-
             self.log.info("exts_default_options: %s", self.cfg['exts_default_options'])
 
         self.pylibdir = None
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py
index 1acbcccc25..0db208dfcb 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/generic/pythonpackage.py
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ def extra_options(extra_vars=None):
                                "Otherwise it will be used as-is. A value of None then skips the build step. "
                                "The template %(python)s will be replace by the currently used Python binary.", CUSTOM],
             'check_ldshared': [None, 'Check Python value of $LDSHARED, correct if needed to "$CC -shared"', CUSTOM],
-            'download_dep_fail': [None, "Fail if downloaded dependencies are detected", CUSTOM],
+            'download_dep_fail': [True, "Fail if downloaded dependencies are detected", CUSTOM],
             'install_src': [None, "Source path to pass to the install command (e.g. a whl file)."
                                   "Defaults to '.' for unpacked sources or the first source file specified", CUSTOM],
             'install_target': ['install', "Option to pass to setup.py", CUSTOM],
@@ -348,8 +348,8 @@ def extra_options(extra_vars=None):
                                   "Enabled by default if the EB option --debug is used.", CUSTOM],
             'req_py_majver': [None, "Required major Python version (only relevant when using system Python)", CUSTOM],
             'req_py_minver': [None, "Required minor Python version (only relevant when using system Python)", CUSTOM],
-            'sanity_pip_check': [False, "Run 'python -m pip check' to ensure all required Python packages are "
-                                        "installed and check for any package with an invalid (0.0.0) version.", CUSTOM],
+            'sanity_pip_check': [True, "Run 'python -m pip check' to ensure all required Python packages are "
+                                       "installed and check for any package with an invalid (0.0.0) version.", CUSTOM],
             'runtest': [True, "Run unit tests.", CUSTOM],  # overrides default
             'testinstall': [False, "Install into temporary directory prior to running the tests.", CUSTOM],
             'unpack_sources': [None, "Unpack sources prior to build/install. Defaults to 'True' except for whl files",
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ def extra_options(extra_vars=None):
             # version. Those would fail the (extended) sanity_pip_check. So as a last resort they can be added here
             # and will be excluded from that check. Note that the display name is required, i.e. from `pip list`.
             'unversioned_packages': [[], "List of packages that don't have a version at all, i.e. show 0.0.0", CUSTOM],
-            'use_pip': [None, "Install using '%s'" % PIP_INSTALL_CMD, CUSTOM],
+            'use_pip': [True, "Install using '%s'" % PIP_INSTALL_CMD, CUSTOM],
             'use_pip_editable': [False, "Install using 'pip install --editable'", CUSTOM],
             # see https://packaging.python.org/tutorials/installing-packages/#installing-setuptools-extras
             'use_pip_extras': [None, "String with comma-separated list of 'extras' to install via pip", CUSTOM],
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ def determine_install_command(self):
         """
         Determine install command to use.
         """
-        if self.cfg.get('use_pip', False) or self.cfg.get('use_pip_editable', False):
+        if self.cfg.get('use_pip', True) or self.cfg.get('use_pip_editable', False):
             self.install_cmd = PIP_INSTALL_CMD
 
             pip_verbose = self.cfg.get('pip_verbose', None)
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ def determine_install_command(self):
                 self.py_installopts.append('--egg')
 
             pip_no_index = self.cfg.get('pip_no_index', None)
-            if pip_no_index or (pip_no_index is None and self.cfg.get('download_dep_fail')):
+            if pip_no_index or (pip_no_index is None and self.cfg.get('download_dep_fail', True)):
                 self.py_installopts.append('--no-index')
 
             # avoid that pip (ab)uses $HOME/.cache/pip
@@ -970,7 +970,7 @@ def sanity_check_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
         # see also https://github.com/easybuilders/easybuild-easyblocks/issues/1877
         env.setvar('PYTHONNOUSERSITE', '1', verbose=False)
 
-        if self.cfg.get('download_dep_fail', False):
+        if self.cfg.get('download_dep_fail', True):
             self.log.info("Detection of downloaded depenencies enabled, checking output of installation command...")
             patterns = [
                 'Downloading .*/packages/.*',  # setuptools
@@ -1014,7 +1014,7 @@ def sanity_check_step(self, *args, **kwargs):
                 exts_filter = (orig_exts_filter[0].replace('python', self.python_cmd), orig_exts_filter[1])
                 kwargs.update({'exts_filter': exts_filter})
 
-        if self.cfg.get('sanity_pip_check', False):
+        if self.cfg.get('sanity_pip_check', True):
             pip_version = det_pip_version(python_cmd=python_cmd)
 
             if pip_version:
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/j/jaxlib.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/j/jaxlib.py
index ad6fa016f5..bdfc15dbf0 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/j/jaxlib.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/j/jaxlib.py
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ def extra_options():
         """Custom easyconfig parameters specific to jaxlib."""
         extra_vars = PythonPackage.extra_options()
 
-        extra_vars['use_pip'][0] = True
         # Run custom build script and install the generated whl file
         extra_vars['buildcmd'][0] = '%(python)s build/build.py'
         extra_vars['install_src'][0] = 'dist/*.whl'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/n/numexpr.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/n/numexpr.py
index e5d192fff2..e6152738b6 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/n/numexpr.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/n/numexpr.py
@@ -37,16 +37,6 @@
 class EB_numexpr(PythonPackage):
     """Support for building/installing numexpr."""
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def extra_options():
-        """Override some custom easyconfig parameters specifically for numexpr."""
-        extra_vars = PythonPackage.extra_options()
-
-        extra_vars['download_dep_fail'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['use_pip'][0] = True
-
-        return extra_vars
-
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Initialisation of custom class variables for numexpr."""
         super(EB_numexpr, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pybind11.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pybind11.py
index 8106bc3b40..b0db8eec21 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pybind11.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pybind11.py
@@ -45,15 +45,6 @@ class EB_pybind11(CMakePythonPackage):
     Python packages using `import pybind11`
     Hence we need to install PyBind11 twice: Once with CMake and once with pip
     """
-    @staticmethod
-    def extra_options(extra_vars=None):
-        """Easyconfig parameters specific to PyBind11: Set defaults"""
-        extra_vars = PythonPackage.extra_options(extra_vars=extra_vars)
-        extra_vars = CMakeMake.extra_options(extra_vars=extra_vars)
-        extra_vars['use_pip'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['sanity_pip_check'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['download_dep_fail'][0] = True
-        return extra_vars
 
     def configure_step(self):
         """Avoid that a system Python is picked up when a Python module is loaded"""
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pytorch.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pytorch.py
index 11c2490371..30d8082d24 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pytorch.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/p/pytorch.py
@@ -59,9 +59,6 @@ def extra_options():
         # see also https://github.com/easybuilders/easybuild-easyblocks/pull/3022
         extra_vars['use_pip'][0] = None
 
-        extra_vars['download_dep_fail'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['sanity_pip_check'][0] = True
-
         # Make pip show output of build process as that may often contain errors or important warnings
         extra_vars['pip_verbose'][0] = True
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/s/sympy.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/s/sympy.py
index 15e5186231..505aa70071 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/s/sympy.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/s/sympy.py
@@ -38,15 +38,6 @@
 class EB_sympy(PythonPackage):
     """Custom easyblock for installing the sympy Python package."""
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def extra_options(extra_vars=None):
-        """Customize default value for easyconfig parameters for sympy"""
-        extra_vars = PythonPackage.extra_options(extra_vars=extra_vars)
-        extra_vars['use_pip'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['sanity_pip_check'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['download_dep_fail'][0] = True
-        return extra_vars
-
     def test_step(self):
         """Custom test step for sympy"""
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorflow.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorflow.py
index 174a5e38fe..3b3bcf8d91 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorflow.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorflow.py
@@ -255,8 +255,6 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         with self.cfg.disable_templating():
             self.cfg['exts_defaultclass'] = 'PythonPackage'
 
-            self.cfg['exts_default_options']['download_dep_fail'] = True
-            self.cfg['exts_default_options']['use_pip'] = True
             self.cfg['exts_filter'] = EXTS_FILTER_PYTHON_PACKAGES
 
         self.system_libs_info = None
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorrt.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorrt.py
index 493b731bc3..1396e6caee 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorrt.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/t/tensorrt.py
@@ -67,11 +67,6 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         # Setup for the extensions step
         self.cfg['exts_defaultclass'] = 'PythonPackage'
 
-        self.cfg['exts_default_options'] = {
-            'download_dep_fail': True,
-            'use_pip': True,
-        }
-
     def configure_step(self):
         """Custom configuration procedure for TensorRT."""
         pass
diff --git a/easybuild/easyblocks/t/torchvision.py b/easybuild/easyblocks/t/torchvision.py
index 5536b89139..d0c8913db8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyblocks/t/torchvision.py
+++ b/easybuild/easyblocks/t/torchvision.py
@@ -38,15 +38,6 @@
 class EB_torchvision(PythonPackage):
     """Support for building/installing TorchVison."""
 
-    @staticmethod
-    def extra_options():
-        """Change some defaults for easyconfig parameters."""
-        extra_vars = PythonPackage.extra_options()
-        extra_vars['use_pip'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['download_dep_fail'][0] = True
-        extra_vars['sanity_pip_check'][0] = True
-        return extra_vars
-
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """Initialize torchvision easyblock."""
         super(EB_torchvision, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)