diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 218063c24..1bead3254 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -80,6 +80,13 @@ SET(OpenThreads_SOURCE_DIR ${OpenSceneGraph_SOURCE_DIR})
 # Maybe this can be used override existing behavior if needed?
 SET(CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${OpenSceneGraph_SOURCE_DIR}/CMakeModules;${CMAKE_MODULE_PATH}")
 
+
+# Change the default build type to Release
+IF(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+    SET(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Release CACHE STRING "Choose the type of build, options are: None Debug Release RelWithDebInfo MinSizeRel." FORCE)
+ENDIF(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+
+
 ## Option to enable Android build using AndroidNDK
 OPTION(OSG_BUILD_PLATFORM_ANDROID OFF)
 IF(OSG_BUILD_PLATFORM_ANDROID)