diff --git a/run-integration-tests.sh b/run-integration-tests.sh
index 7a70ec89a..c73a849ae 100755
--- a/run-integration-tests.sh
+++ b/run-integration-tests.sh
@@ -10,11 +10,15 @@
 #
 #   ./run-integration-tests.sh -e py35 -- -x
 
-cargo build -p deltachat_ffi
-
 export DCC_RS_DEV=$(pwd)
 export DCC_RS_TARGET=${DCC_RS_TARGET:-release}
 
+if [ $DCC_RS_TARGET = 'release' ]; then
+    cargo build -p deltachat_ffi --release
+else
+    cargo build -p deltachat_ffi
+fi
+
 pushd python
 toxargs="$@"
 if [ -e liveconfig ]; then