diff --git a/config/settings/base.py b/config/settings/base.py
index 32460e36..a9de58b6 100644
--- a/config/settings/base.py
+++ b/config/settings/base.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 env = environ.Env()
 
 # .env file, should load only in development environment
-READ_DOT_ENV_FILE = env.bool('DJANGO_READ_DOT_ENV_FILE', default=False)
+READ_DOT_ENV_FILE = env.bool('DJANGO_READ_DOT_ENV_FILE', False)
 
 if READ_DOT_ENV_FILE:
     # Operating System Environment variables have precedence over variables
@@ -151,9 +151,7 @@
 # See: https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/4.2/ref/settings/#databases
 # Uses django-environ to accept uri format
 # See: https://django-environ.readthedocs.io/en/latest/#supported-types
-DATABASES = {
-    'default': env.db('DATABASE_URL', default='postgres:///sodar_core')
-}
+DATABASES = {'default': env.db('DATABASE_URL', 'postgres:///sodar_core')}
 DATABASES['default']['ATOMIC_REQUESTS'] = True
 
 # Set default auto field (for Django 3.2+)
@@ -580,10 +578,10 @@ def set_logging(level=None):
     'PROJECTROLES_SEARCH_OMIT_APPS', None, []
 )
 PROJECTROLES_TARGET_SYNC_ENABLE = env.bool(
-    'PROJECTROLES_TARGET_SYNC_ENABLE', default=False
+    'PROJECTROLES_TARGET_SYNC_ENABLE', False
 )
 PROJECTROLES_TARGET_SYNC_INTERVAL = env.int(
-    'PROJECTROLES_TARGET_SYNC_INTERVAL', default=5
+    'PROJECTROLES_TARGET_SYNC_INTERVAL', 5
 )
 
 # Optional projectroles settings
diff --git a/config/settings/local.py b/config/settings/local.py
index 6e751a1c..57423f09 100644
--- a/config/settings/local.py
+++ b/config/settings/local.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 # DEBUG
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-DEBUG = env.bool('DJANGO_DEBUG', default=True)
+DEBUG = env.bool('DJANGO_DEBUG', True)
 TEMPLATES[0]['OPTIONS']['debug'] = DEBUG
 
 # SECRET CONFIGURATION
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 
 # django-debug-toolbar
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-ENABLE_DEBUG_TOOLBAR = env.bool('ENABLE_DEBUG_TOOLBAR', default=True)
+ENABLE_DEBUG_TOOLBAR = env.bool('ENABLE_DEBUG_TOOLBAR', True)
 
 if ENABLE_DEBUG_TOOLBAR:
     MIDDLEWARE += ['debug_toolbar.middleware.DebugToolbarMiddleware']