Changes to Image Texture node adds template-creation difficulty

In a more recent update, the changes made to how the Image Texture node operates makes things a bit more cumbersome when trying to make a node structure template.

Previously, you could set a bunch of parameters without needing a texture to do so. Now, certain parameters, such as 'Color Space', cannot be set unless you have a texture selected first.

I understand the design concept behind this, but it would be more helpful to be able to create a template with all these parameters set first without the need for a temporary texture.