diff --git a/ironic-config/ironic.conf.j2 b/ironic-config/ironic.conf.j2
index e3f55eaaf..216b9d9f9 100644
--- a/ironic-config/ironic.conf.j2
+++ b/ironic-config/ironic.conf.j2
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 [DEFAULT]
 auth_strategy = noauth
 debug = true
-default_deploy_interface = direct
+default_deploy_interface = autodetect
 default_inspect_interface = agent
 default_network_interface = noop
 enabled_bios_interfaces = no-bios,redfish,idrac-redfish
 enabled_boot_interfaces = ipxe,pxe,fake,redfish-virtual-media,idrac-redfish-virtual-media,redfish-https
-enabled_deploy_interfaces = direct,fake,ramdisk,custom-agent,bootc
+enabled_deploy_interfaces = autodetect,direct,fake,ramdisk,custom-agent,bootc
+autodetect_deploy_interfaces = ramdisk,bootc,direct
 enabled_firmware_interfaces = no-firmware,fake,redfish
 # NOTE(dtantsur): when changing this, make sure to update the driver
 # dependencies in Dockerfile.