diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 8e23bd58f..16231576a 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,27 +1,33 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2017 The Bitcoin developers
 
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.5)
 project(BitcoinABC)
 
 # Add path for custom modules
 set(CMAKE_MODULE_PATH
 	${CMAKE_MODULE_PATH}
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/modules
 )
 
 # Make contrib script accessible.
 set(CONTRIB_PATH ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/contrib)
 
 # If ccache is available, then use it.
 find_program(CCACHE ccache)
 if(CCACHE)
 	set_property(GLOBAL PROPERTY RULE_LAUNCH_COMPILE ${CCACHE})
 	set_property(GLOBAL PROPERTY RULE_LAUNCH_LINK ${CCACHE})
 endif(CCACHE)
 
+# Default to RelWithDebInfo configuration
+if(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+	set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE RelWithDebInfo CACHE STRING
+		"Select the configuration for the build" FORCE)
+endif()
+
 # Add the magic taret check and check-all
 add_custom_target(check-all)
 add_custom_target(check)
 
 add_subdirectory(src)
 add_subdirectory(test)