diff --git a/pisi/actionsapi/cmaketools.py b/pisi/actionsapi/cmaketools.py
index 8fcc4a4f..ba1a2c93 100644
--- a/pisi/actionsapi/cmaketools.py
+++ b/pisi/actionsapi/cmaketools.py
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ def configure(parameters = '', installPrefix = '/%s' % get.defaultprefixDIR(), s
         args = 'cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=%s \
                       -DCMAKE_C_FLAGS="%s" \
                       -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS="%s" \
-                      -DCMAKE_LD_FLAGS="%s" %s %s' % (installPrefix, get.CFLAGS(), get.CXXFLAGS(), get.LDFLAGS(), parameters, sourceDir)
+                      -DCMAKE_LD_FLAGS="%s" \
+                      -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=release %s %s' % (installPrefix, get.CFLAGS(), get.CXXFLAGS(), get.LDFLAGS(), parameters, sourceDir)
 
         if system(args):
             raise ConfigureError(_('Configure failed.'))