diff --git a/.github/workflows/liboqs-release.yml b/.github/workflows/liboqs-release.yml
index 71cecb6f..e30634cb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/liboqs-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/liboqs-release.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ on:
     inputs:
       liboqs_ref:
         description: 'liboqs branch or tag'
-        required: true
         default: 'main'
         type: string
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-test.yml b/.github/workflows/release-test.yml
index 884224db..1f5ddb7e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-test.yml
@@ -8,14 +8,12 @@ on:
     inputs:
       liboqs_ref:
         description: 'liboqs branch or tag'
-        required: true
         default: 'main'
         type: string
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:
       liboqs_ref:
         description: 'liboqs branch or tag'
-        required: true
         default: 'main'
         type: string