diff --git a/bootstrap b/bootstrap
index 1b0cb2672c..da73bad602 100755
--- a/bootstrap
+++ b/bootstrap
@@ -1595,6 +1595,7 @@ rebuild_cache:
 echo '
 # Generated by '"${cmake_source_dir}"'/bootstrap
 # Default cmake settings.  These may be overridden any settings below.
+set (CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Release" CACHE STRING "Choose the type of build.") # not FORCE to preserve defaults specified elsewhere
 set (CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX "'"${cmake_prefix_dir}"'" CACHE PATH "Install path prefix, prepended onto install directories." FORCE)
 set (CMAKE_DOC_DIR "'"${cmake_doc_dir}"'" CACHE PATH "Install location for documentation (relative to prefix)." FORCE)
 set (CMAKE_MAN_DIR "'"${cmake_man_dir}"'" CACHE PATH "Install location for man pages (relative to prefix)." FORCE)