diff --git a/bindings/Makefile.am b/bindings/Makefile.am
index 3533b9bd5..5440ec11c 100644
--- a/bindings/Makefile.am
+++ b/bindings/Makefile.am
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ AM_CPPFLAGS = @AM_CPPFLAGS@ -I$(top_srcdir)/bindings $(PYTHON_CPPFLAGS) \
 	$(TCL_INCLUDE_SPEC)
 
 AM_CFLAGS = -fno-strict-aliasing
+AM_CXXFLAGS = -O2
 
 SWGFILES = hamlib.swg ignore.swg rig.swg rotator.swg