diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 46789895..65ec3c86 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -873,7 +873,7 @@ For example, the following will auto-download the [EssentialsX](https://www.spig
   ```
     -e MODRINTH_PROJECTS=fabric-api,fabric-api:PbVeub96,fabric-api:beta
   ```
-- **MODRINTH_DOWNLOAD_OPTIONAL_DEPENDENCIES**=true : required dependencies of the project will _always_ be downloaded and optional dependencies can also be downloaded by setting this to `true`
+- **MODRINTH_DOWNLOAD_OPTIONAL_DEPENDENCIES**=false : required dependencies of the project will _always_ be downloaded and optional dependencies can also be downloaded by setting this to `true`
 - **MODRINTH_ALLOWED_VERSION_TYPE**=release : the version type is used to determine the newest version to use from each project. The allowed values are `release`, `beta`, `alpha`.
 
 ### Downloadable mod/plugin pack for Forge, Fabric, and Bukkit-like Servers
diff --git a/docs/mods-and-plugins/modrinth.md b/docs/mods-and-plugins/modrinth.md
index a16427d1..0e129453 100644
--- a/docs/mods-and-plugins/modrinth.md
+++ b/docs/mods-and-plugins/modrinth.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 ## Extra options
 
 `MODRINTH_DOWNLOAD_OPTIONAL_DEPENDENCIES`
-: Required dependencies of the project will _always_ be downloaded and optional dependencies can also be downloaded by setting this to `true`. The default is "true"
+: Required dependencies of the project will _always_ be downloaded and optional dependencies can also be downloaded by setting this to `true`. The default is "false".
 
 `MODRINTH_ALLOWED_VERSION_TYPE`
 : The version type is used to determine the newest version to use from each project. The allowed values are `release` (default), `beta`, `alpha`.
diff --git a/scripts/start-setupModpack b/scripts/start-setupModpack
index 3a77db37..df2f3012 100755
--- a/scripts/start-setupModpack
+++ b/scripts/start-setupModpack
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ function handleGenericPacks() {
 
 function handleModrinthProjects() {
   : "${MODRINTH_PROJECTS:=}"
-  : "${MODRINTH_DOWNLOAD_OPTIONAL_DEPENDENCIES:=true}"
+  : "${MODRINTH_DOWNLOAD_OPTIONAL_DEPENDENCIES:=false}"
   : "${MODRINTH_ALLOWED_VERSION_TYPE:=release}"
 
   if [[ $MODRINTH_PROJECTS ]] && isFamily HYBRID FORGE FABRIC SPIGOT; then