diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
index c1228c95ee9c..c6290e631839 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_10', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []  # just to make it explicit this module doesn't include any extensions
 
 moduleclass = 'math'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
index f1545795f754..b23784df2756 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_10', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
index f94be428d34f..4bb85edabe4f 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_10', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []  # just to make it explicit this module doesn't include any extensions
 
 moduleclass = 'math'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
index 5a1c0eea5bdb..b5a30ff434c8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_10', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb
index 7313a8d366ce..419fa691885b 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-goolf-1.4.10.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_15', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb
index 8343b4f79358..2437804b50b8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-2.15.3-ictce-5.3.0.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_15', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
index 7f0eddecda20..c0064ba6a8c2 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-goolf-1.4.10-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_21', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []  # just to make it explicit this module doesn't include any extensions
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
index 790763608f66..3b03bc30042b 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.1-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_21', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []  # just to make it explicit this module doesn't include any extensions
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
index 35115d558ef1..7db65a77f3eb 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-goolf-1.4.10.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.4.10'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_21', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
index 888cae7b9049..1c63079ab4a8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_21', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []  # just to make it explicit this module doesn't include any extensions
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
index a18d893d6ec9..ea1488b75010 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.3.0.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.3.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_15', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb
index feebc6118ff3..72798af0c69e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.0.2-ictce-5.5.0.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.5.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_15', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb
index afbd16f4d69d..7b3d9ff47125 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.5.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_60', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb
index 4b7c7e614075..4125b82ac4e8 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.0-ictce-5.5.0.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '5.5.0'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.2'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -20,6 +16,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_60', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb
index e19b9fa27cec..0b46e45f4597 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-bare-mt.eb
@@ -12,10 +12,6 @@ toolchainopts = {'precise': True, 'opt': True}  # 'openmp' is enabled in R by de
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -24,6 +20,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_60', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []  # just to make it explicit this module doesn't include any extensions
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb
index 8d8e19d61cfd..33df27d44609 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-ictce-6.2.5-default-mt.eb
@@ -12,8 +12,6 @@ toolchainopts = {'precise': True, 'opt': True}  # 'openmp' is enabled in R by de
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -22,6 +20,12 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_60', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = [
     # default libraries, only here to sanity check their presence
     'base',
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb
index cc80ae60d78e..6b5e378b4031 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.1-intel-2014b.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2014b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_60', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb
index 18ff122b7d21..8458339b7d60 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-foss-2015a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_25', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb
index ed8d9e3ad6d5..e81562bee3da 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-goolf-1.5.14.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.5.14'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_25', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb
index 5a4da318168b..95f4896bccf6 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_25', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb
index 8d0f47ad8f80..aa4b85131052 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.2-intel-2015a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -21,6 +17,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_25', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb
index 1fd6facef34e..c57b76da2d7e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-foss-2015a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -24,6 +20,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb
index 2c33370e9489..5c24e4f5982c 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.1.3-intel-2015a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -24,6 +20,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb
index 68dd2449cd29..83033319bd9e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-foss-2015a-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_80', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb
index 804aa2fe5f4b..712ca683f373 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.7.20'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_80', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb
index 0ba1bf21f0df..b5c6d77c853d 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-goolf-1.7.20.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'goolf', 'version': '1.7.20'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -26,6 +22,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb
index 85e81832605e..dec3fef7965e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-ictce-7.3.5-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'ictce', 'version': '7.3.5'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -24,6 +20,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Tk', '8.6.4', '-no-X11'),  # for tcltk
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb
index 6ce70e6131e0..68941ac78090 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.0-intel-2015a-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.7.0_80', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb
index 41969efb9e18..f4738f44f4b1 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_45', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb
index 2c03f2f63035..eb6d134dc02b 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-foss-2015b.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -26,6 +22,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb
index 4f7648132659..685023f39b4c 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -26,6 +22,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb
index 59e5cfc1ed12..ad909a5e62b9 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_45', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb
index 606a24c3bfba..b972f1163cfa 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.1-intel-2015b.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -26,6 +22,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb
index 2f3d6a1a668a..dba91bd25334 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2015b.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2015b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '5.9'),
@@ -29,6 +25,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb
index 07c1a8ca2b02..503529a7dda5 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_72', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb
index 521e0fe97775..b8c086a40610 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -29,6 +25,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb
index 00b59b06f744..b015c72f54dc 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-foss-2016b.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -29,6 +25,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb
index 08cc4443c178..aa995966ac0a 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-bare.eb
@@ -10,10 +10,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -22,6 +18,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('Java', '1.8.0_72', '', True),  # Java bindings are built if Java is found, might as well provide it
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_list = []
 
 moduleclass = 'lang'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb
index 1e8513c9bc94..bd244047ad85 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a-libX11-1.6.3.eb
@@ -13,10 +13,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     (libx11, libxver),
     ('libXt', '1.1.5'),
@@ -38,6 +34,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb
index e9428e26ece2..6dbcaf2eb2b0 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.2.3-intel-2016a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -29,6 +25,14 @@ dependencies = [
     ('NLopt', '2.4.2'),  # for nloptr
 ]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb
index 94ff42c844ea..3d35842c0216 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016a.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -40,6 +36,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb
index d42bfd367dd6..4727ce6b7f20 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-foss-2016b.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -40,6 +36,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb
index 9bf43069a382..6dbfc8db3d8d 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.1-intel-2016b.eb
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('libreadline', '6.3'),
     ('ncurses', '6.0'),
@@ -40,6 +36,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
index a44b14afa60b..ad737a3871ce 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
@@ -11,10 +11,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'foss', 'version': '2016b'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('X11', x11ver),
     ('Mesa', '12.0.2'),
@@ -46,6 +42,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
index d85e3a18ec75..fe0465a60d54 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.3.3-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
@@ -11,10 +11,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2017a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('X11', x11ver),
     ('Mesa', '17.0.2'),
@@ -46,6 +42,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
index b990358e2c43..34e2f162ddc9 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.0-intel-2017a-X11-20170314.eb
@@ -11,10 +11,6 @@ toolchain = {'name': 'intel', 'version': '2017a'}
 sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('X11', x11ver),
     ('Mesa', '17.0.2'),
@@ -48,6 +44,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
index 82ef0369d34b..9dab3e5ff1f9 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.1-foss-2016b-X11-20160819.eb
@@ -17,10 +17,6 @@ source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 
 checksums = ['02b1135d15ea969a3582caeb95594a05e830a6debcdb5b85ed2d5836a6a3fc78']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('X11', x11ver),
     ('Mesa', '12.0.2'),
@@ -51,6 +47,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 name_tmpl = '%(name)s_%(version)s.tar.gz'
 ext_options = {
     'source_urls': [
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.3-intel-2017b-X11-20171023.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.3-intel-2017b-X11-20171023.eb
index 3b3ce9be652f..4559a4df7046 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.3-intel-2017b-X11-20171023.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/r/R/R-3.4.3-intel-2017b-X11-20171023.eb
@@ -12,10 +12,6 @@ sources = [SOURCE_TAR_GZ]
 source_urls = ['http://cran.us.r-project.org/src/base/R-%(version_major)s']
 checksums = ['7a3cb831de5b4151e1f890113ed207527b7d4b16df9ec6b35e0964170007f426']
 
-configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
-# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
-configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
-
 dependencies = [
     ('X11', x11ver),
     ('Mesa', '17.2.4'),
@@ -49,6 +45,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 osdependencies = [('openssl-devel', 'libssl-dev', 'libopenssl-devel')]
 
+configopts = "--with-pic --enable-threads --enable-R-shlib"
+# some recommended packages may fail in a parallel build (e.g. Matrix), and we're installing them anyway below
+configopts += " --with-recommended-packages=no"
+
+# specify that at least EasyBuild v3.5.0 is required,
+# since we rely on the updated easyblock for R to configure correctly w.r.t. BLAS/LAPACK
+easybuild_version = '3.5.0'
+
 exts_default_options = {
     'source_urls': [
         'http://cran.r-project.org/src/contrib/Archive/%(name)s',  # package archive