diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 2f4117b49..f2a7a87fa 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ ENDFOREACH()
 CU_RUN_HOOK("AFTER_LOAD_CONF")
 
 # build in Release-mode by default if not explicitly set
-if( NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE )
-    set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Release")
+if(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+    set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "RelWithDebInfo")
 endif()
 
 # turn off PCH totally if enabled (hidden setting, mainly for devs)