diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-every.yml b/.github/workflows/build-every.yml
index 3364cda9..94ee27f2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-every.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-every.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Configure git safe directory
         run: git config --global --add safe.directory /__w/uhal/uhal
       - name: Configure
-        run: meson setup --werror build || cat build/meson-logs/meson-log.txt /nonexistent
+        run: meson setup --buildtype release --werror build || cat build/meson-logs/meson-log.txt /nonexistent
       - name: Build and test every commit
         run: git rebase --exec "ninja -C build test" origin/master
       - name: Commit blame
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index ce70a74e..9e30664e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           submodules: true
       - name: Configure
-        run: meson setup --werror -Dpcie_opt=${{ matrix.options.pcie_opt }} build || cat build/meson-logs/meson-log.txt /nonexistent
+        run: meson setup --buildtype release --werror -Dpcie_opt=${{ matrix.options.pcie_opt }} build || cat build/meson-logs/meson-log.txt /nonexistent
       - name: Build
         run: ninja -C build
       - name: Run tests