diff --git a/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/MatrixInjector.py b/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/MatrixInjector.py
index 70fc045a28e41..1f68b24c6f099 100644
--- a/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/MatrixInjector.py
+++ b/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/MatrixInjector.py
@@ -70,9 +70,12 @@ def __init__(self,opt,mode='init',options=''):
         ####################################
         # require
         self.RequiresGPU = opt.RequiresGPU
-        if self.RequiresGPU not in (0,1,2):
-            print('RequiresGPU should be 0,1,2. Now, reset to 0.')
-            self.RequiresGPU = 0 #reset if number is not 0,1,2 
+        if self.RequiresGPU not in ('forbidden','optional','required'):
+            print('RequiresGPU must be forbidden, optional, required. Now, set to forbidden.')
+            self.RequiresGPU = 'forbidden'
+        if self.RequiresGPU == 'optional':
+            print('Optional GPU is turned off for RelVals. Now, changing it to forbidden')
+            self.RequiresGPU = 'forbidden'
         self.GPUMemory = opt.GPUMemory
         self.CUDACapabilities = opt.CUDACapabilities.split(',')
         self.CUDARuntime = opt.CUDARuntime
@@ -171,7 +174,8 @@ def __init__(self,opt,mode='init',options=''):
             "nowmIO": {},
             "Multicore" : opt.nThreads,                  # this is the per-taskchain Multicore; it's the default assigned to a task if it has no value specified 
             "EventStreams": self.numberOfStreams,
-            "KeepOutput" : False
+            "KeepOutput" : False,
+            "GPUParams": None
             }
         self.defaultInput={
             "TaskName" : "DigiHLT",                                      #Task Name
@@ -183,7 +187,8 @@ def __init__(self,opt,mode='init',options=''):
             "nowmIO": {},
             "Multicore" : opt.nThreads,                       # this is the per-taskchain Multicore; it's the default assigned to a task if it has no value specified 
             "EventStreams": self.numberOfStreams,
-            "KeepOutput" : False
+            "KeepOutput" : False,
+            "GPUParams": None
             }
         self.defaultTask={
             "TaskName" : None,                                 #Task Name
@@ -197,8 +202,8 @@ def __init__(self,opt,mode='init',options=''):
             "Multicore" : opt.nThreads,                       # this is the per-taskchain Multicore; it's the default assigned to a task if it has no value specified 
             "EventStreams": self.numberOfStreams,
             "KeepOutput" : False,
-            "RequiresGPU" : 0,
-            "GPUParams": {None}
+            "RequiresGPU" : None,
+            "GPUParams": None
             }
         self.defaultGPUParams={
             "GPUMemory": self.GPUMemory,
@@ -404,7 +409,6 @@ def prepare(self, mReader, directories, mode='init'):
                                     thisLabel+='_FastSim'
                                 if 'lhe' in s[2][index] in s[2][index]:
                                     chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['LheInputFiles'] =True
-
                             elif nextHasDSInput:
                                 chainDict['nowmTasklist'].append(copy.deepcopy(self.defaultInput))
                                 try:
@@ -434,6 +438,9 @@ def prepare(self, mReader, directories, mode='init'):
                                     if setPrimaryDs:
                                         chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['PrimaryDataset']=setPrimaryDs
                                 nextHasDSInput=None
+                                if 'GPU' in step and self.RequiresGPU == 'required':
+                                    chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['RequiresGPU'] = self.RequiresGPU
+                                    chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['GPUParams']=self.defaultGPUParams
                             else:
                                 #not first step and no inputDS
                                 chainDict['nowmTasklist'].append(copy.deepcopy(self.defaultTask))
@@ -446,7 +453,7 @@ def prepare(self, mReader, directories, mode='init'):
                                     chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['LumisPerJob']=splitForThisWf
                                 if step in wmsplit:
                                     chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['LumisPerJob']=wmsplit[step]
-                                if 'GPU' in step and (self.RequiresGPU == 1 or self.RequiresGPU == 2):
+                                if 'GPU' in step and self.RequiresGPU == 'required':
                                     chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['RequiresGPU'] = self.RequiresGPU
                                     chainDict['nowmTasklist'][-1]['GPUParams']=self.defaultGPUParams 
 
diff --git a/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/scripts/runTheMatrix.py b/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/scripts/runTheMatrix.py
index 7a52f2768af48..4781bd5d26995 100755
--- a/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/scripts/runTheMatrix.py
+++ b/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/scripts/runTheMatrix.py
@@ -333,22 +333,22 @@ def runSelected(opt):
                       action='store')
 
     parser.add_option('--RequiresGPU',
-                      help='if GPU is reuired or not: 0 = Not (default), 1 = can use if available, 2 = must use. Default = 0.',
+                      help='if GPU is reuired or not: forbidden (default, CPU-only), optional, required',
                       dest='RequiresGPU',
                       default=0)
 
     parser.add_option('--GPUMemory',
-                      help='to specify GPU memory. Default = 8000 MB (for RequiresGPU=2).',
+                      help='to specify GPU memory. Default = 8000 MB (for RequiresGPU = required).',
                       dest='GPUMemory',
                       default='8000')
 
     parser.add_option('--CUDACapabilities',
-                      help='to specify CUDA capabilities. Default = 7.5 (for RequiresGPU=2).',
+                      help='to specify CUDA capabilities. Default = 7.5 (for RequiresGPU = required).',
                       dest='CUDACapabilities',
                       default='7.5')
 
     parser.add_option('--CUDARuntime',
-                      help='to specify CUDA runtime. Default = 11.2 (for RequiresGPU=2).',
+                      help='to specify CUDA runtime. Default = 11.2 (for RequiresGPU= required).',
                       dest='CUDARuntime',
                       default='11.2')
 
@@ -436,7 +436,6 @@ def stepOrIndex(s):
     if opt.numberEventsInLuminosityBlock: opt.numberEventsInLuminosityBlock=int(opt.numberEventsInLuminosityBlock)
     if opt.memoryOffset: opt.memoryOffset=int(opt.memoryOffset)
     if opt.memPerCore: opt.memPerCore=int(opt.memPerCore)
-    if opt.RequiresGPU: opt.RequiresGPU=int(opt.RequiresGPU)
 
     if opt.wmcontrol:
         performInjectionOptionTest(opt)