diff --git a/SuperBuild/CMakeLists.txt b/SuperBuild/CMakeLists.txt
index 3b21da21..1aee12c3 100644
--- a/SuperBuild/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/SuperBuild/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@ cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.1)
 
 project(ODM-SuperBuild)
 
+if (NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+    message(STATUS "No build type selected, default to Release")
+    set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Release")
+endif()
+
 # Setup SuperBuild root location
 set(SB_ROOT_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR})
 
diff --git a/modules/CMakeLists.txt b/modules/CMakeLists.txt
index e1afd164..5786f461 100644
--- a/modules/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/modules/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+if (NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+    message(STATUS "No build type selected, default to Release")
+    set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Release")
+endif()
+
 # Add ODM sub-modules
 add_subdirectory(odm_extract_utm)
 add_subdirectory(odm_georef)