diff --git a/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py b/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py
index 08505316a5..1d476c9868 100644
--- a/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py
+++ b/easybuild/framework/easyconfig/easyconfig.py
@@ -428,7 +428,10 @@ def __init__(self, path, extra_options=None, build_specs=None, validate=True, hi
         :param local_var_naming_check: mode to use when checking if local variables use the recommended naming scheme
         """
         self.template_values = None
-        self.enable_templating = True  # a boolean to control templating
+        # a boolean to control templating, can be (temporarily) disabled in easyblocks
+        self.enable_templating = True
+        # boolean to control whether all template values must be resolvable, can be (temporarily) disabled in easyblocks
+        self.expect_resolved_template_values = True
 
         self.log = fancylogger.getLogger(self.__class__.__name__, fname=False)
 
@@ -1773,7 +1776,7 @@ def resolve_template(self, value):
         """Resolve all templates in the given value using this easyconfig"""
         if not self.template_values:
             self.generate_template_values()
-        return resolve_template(value, self.template_values)
+        return resolve_template(value, self.template_values, expect_resolved=self.expect_resolved_template_values)
 
     @handle_deprecated_or_replaced_easyconfig_parameters
     def __contains__(self, key):
diff --git a/test/framework/easyconfig.py b/test/framework/easyconfig.py
index e8b1dd0cb7..b1eb2fc7db 100644
--- a/test/framework/easyconfig.py
+++ b/test/framework/easyconfig.py
@@ -1289,6 +1289,7 @@ def test_ec_method_resolve_template(self):
             homepage = "http://example.com"
             description = "test easyconfig %(name)s version %(version_major)s"
             toolchain = SYSTEM
+            installopts = "PREFIX=%(installdir)s"
         """)
         self.prep()
         ec = EasyConfig(self.eb_file, validate=False)
@@ -1302,6 +1303,22 @@ def test_ec_method_resolve_template(self):
         self.assertIn('%', description, 'Description needs a template for the next test')
         self.assertEqual(ec.resolve_template(description), ec['description'])
 
+        val = "PREFIX=%(installdir)s"
+
+        # by default unresolved template value triggers an error being raised
+        error_pattern = "Failed to resolve all templates"
+        self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, error_pattern, ec.resolve_template, val)
+        self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, error_pattern, ec.get, 'installopts')
+
+        # this can be (temporarily) disabled via expect_resolved_template_values in EasyConfig instance
+        ec.expect_resolved_template_values = False
+        self.assertEqual(ec.resolve_template(val), val)
+        self.assertEqual(ec['installopts'], val)
+
+        ec.expect_resolved_template_values = True
+        self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, error_pattern, ec.resolve_template, val)
+        self.assertErrorRegex(EasyBuildError, error_pattern, ec.get, 'installopts')
+
     def test_templating_cuda_toolchain(self):
         """Test templates via toolchain component, like setting %(cudaver)s with fosscuda toolchain."""