diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 33336974742..20301b84e4c 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ set(CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/macros")
 
 # build in Release-mode by default if not explicitly set
 if( NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE )
-  set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Release")
+  set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "RelWithDebInfo")
 endif()
 
 include(CheckCXXSourceRuns)