diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index 0ff6f4e..1ea9364 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           tool: cross
       - run: mkdir dist
-      - run: ${{ (!matrix.os && matrix.use-cross) && 'cross' || 'cargo' }} rustc --locked --release --no-default-features --target=${{ matrix.target }} -- --emit=link=dist/binary
+      - run: ${{ (!matrix.os && matrix.use-cross) && 'cross' || 'cargo' }} rustc --locked ${{ github.ref_name == github.event.repository.default_branch && '--release' || '' }} --no-default-features --target=${{ matrix.target }} -- --emit=link=dist/binary
       - uses: actions/upload-artifact@834a144ee995460fba8ed112a2fc961b36a5ec5a # v4.3.6
         with:
           name: ${{ matrix.target }}