diff --git a/.github/workflows/systemtests.yml b/.github/workflows/systemtests.yml
index 1cae1631a..68f851ef5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/systemtests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/systemtests.yml
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           source /opt/ros/humble/setup.bash
           cd ros2_ws
-          colcon build --symlink-install
+          colcon build --symlink-install --cmake-args -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
 
       - name: Flight test
         id: step5
diff --git a/.github/workflows/systemtests_sim.yml b/.github/workflows/systemtests_sim.yml
index 75a84d912..439c4ad17 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/systemtests_sim.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/systemtests_sim.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           source /opt/ros/humble/setup.bash
           cd ros2_ws
-          colcon build --symlink-install
+          colcon build --symlink-install --cmake-args -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
 
       - name: Flight test
         id: step6
diff --git a/docs2/installation.rst b/docs2/installation.rst
index 325bb73f0..d9cf15381 100644
--- a/docs2/installation.rst
+++ b/docs2/installation.rst
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ First Installation
     .. code-block:: bash
 
         cd ../
-        colcon build --symlink-install
+        colcon build --symlink-install --cmake-args -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
 
     .. note::
        symlink-install allows you to edit Python and config files without running `colcon build` every time.
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ You can update your local copy using the following commands:
     git submodule sync
     git submodule update --init --recursive
     cd ../../
-    colcon build --symlink-install
+    colcon build --symlink-install --cmake-args -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
 
 
 .. Once you have completed installation,