diff --git a/src/py_build_cmake/build.py b/src/py_build_cmake/build.py
index f8c3ae3..fb466a6 100644
--- a/src/py_build_cmake/build.py
+++ b/src/py_build_cmake/build.py
@@ -518,14 +518,17 @@ def get_cmaker(pkg_dir: Path, install_dir: Optional[Path], cmake_cfg: dict,
                    native_install_dir: Optional[Path],
                    package_info: PackageInfo, **kwargs):
         # Optionally include the cross-compilation settings
-        cross_opts = {k: None for k in
-                      ('toolchain_file', 'python_prefix', 'python_library')}
         if cross_cfg:
+            cross_compiling = True
             cross_opts = {
                 'toolchain_file': cross_cfg.get('toolchain_file'),
                 'python_prefix': cross_cfg.get('prefix'),
                 'python_library': cross_cfg.get('library'),
             }
+        else:
+            cross_compiling = False
+            cross_keys = 'toolchain_file', 'python_prefix', 'python_library'
+            cross_opts = {k: None for k in cross_keys}
 
         # Add some CMake configure options
         options = cmake_cfg.get('options', {})
@@ -557,6 +560,7 @@ def get_cmaker(pkg_dir: Path, install_dir: Optional[Path], cmake_cfg: dict,
                 args=cmake_cfg.get('args', []),
                 preset=cmake_cfg.get('preset'),
                 generator=cmake_cfg.get('generator'),
+                cross_compiling=cross_compiling,
                 **cross_opts,
             ),
             build_settings=cmake.CMakeBuildSettings(
diff --git a/src/py_build_cmake/cmake.py b/src/py_build_cmake/cmake.py
index 0755b22..0e65062 100644
--- a/src/py_build_cmake/cmake.py
+++ b/src/py_build_cmake/cmake.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class CMakeConfigureSettings:
     args: List[str]
     preset: Optional[str]
     generator: Optional[str]
+    cross_compiling: bool
     toolchain_file: Optional[Path]
     python_prefix: Optional[Path]
     python_library: Optional[Path]
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ def prepare_environment(self):
         return self.environment
 
     def cross_compiling(self) -> bool:
-        return self.conf_settings.toolchain_file is not None
+        return self.conf_settings.cross_compiling
 
     def get_configure_options_package(self) -> List[str]:
         """Flags specific to py-build-cmake, useful in the user's CMake scripts."""
diff --git a/src/py_build_cmake/pyproject_options.py b/src/py_build_cmake/pyproject_options.py
index 99e7c03..8562a46 100644
--- a/src/py_build_cmake/pyproject_options.py
+++ b/src/py_build_cmake/pyproject_options.py
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ def get_options(project_path: Path, *, test: bool = False):
                          "https://cmake.org/cmake/help/book/mastering-cmake"
                          "/chapter/Cross%20Compiling%20With%20CMake.html for "
                          "more information.",
-                         default=RequiredValue(),
+                         default=NoDefaultValue(),
                          base_path=RelativeToCurrentConfig(project_path),
                          must_exist=not test,
                          allow_abs=True,
diff --git a/src/py_build_cmake/quirks/config.py b/src/py_build_cmake/quirks/config.py
index 59bd4c3..62a540b 100644
--- a/src/py_build_cmake/quirks/config.py
+++ b/src/py_build_cmake/quirks/config.py
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ def cross_compile_win(config: ConfigNode, plat_name, library_dirs, cmake_platfor
     assert not config.contains('cross')
     cross_cfg = {
         'os': 'windows',
-        'toolchain_file': '',
         'arch': platform_to_platform_tag(plat_name),
         'cmake': {
             'options': {