diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/columns/edit.js b/packages/block-library/src/columns/edit.js
index aecbb84bd337fb..5d22166823c18f 100644
--- a/packages/block-library/src/columns/edit.js
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/columns/edit.js
@@ -267,17 +267,12 @@ function ColumnsEditContainer( { attributes, setAttributes, clientId } ) {
 }
 
 function Placeholder( { clientId, name, setAttributes } ) {
-	const { blockType, defaultVariation, variations } = useSelect(
+	const { blockType, variations } = useSelect(
 		( select ) => {
-			const {
-				getBlockVariations,
-				getBlockType,
-				getDefaultBlockVariation,
-			} = select( blocksStore );
+			const { getBlockVariations, getBlockType } = select( blocksStore );
 
 			return {
 				blockType: getBlockType( name ),
-				defaultVariation: getDefaultBlockVariation( name, 'block' ),
 				variations: getBlockVariations( name, 'block' ),
 			};
 		},
@@ -293,7 +288,7 @@ function Placeholder( { clientId, name, setAttributes } ) {
 				label={ blockType?.title }
 				variations={ variations }
 				instructions={ __( 'Divide into columns. Select a layout:' ) }
-				onSelect={ ( nextVariation = defaultVariation ) => {
+				onSelect={ ( nextVariation ) => {
 					if ( nextVariation.attributes ) {
 						setAttributes( nextVariation.attributes );
 					}
@@ -307,7 +302,6 @@ function Placeholder( { clientId, name, setAttributes } ) {
 						);
 					}
 				} }
-				allowSkip
 			/>
 		</div>
 	);