diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 6743e27..884ed15 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ project(
 	['c'],
 	version: '5.5.0',
 	license: 'GPL-3.0-or-later',
+	 default_options : [ 'buildtype=release' ],
 )
 
 project_description = '3270 Virtual Terminal for GTK'