diff --git a/.vsts-ci/templates/ci-general.yml b/.vsts-ci/templates/ci-general.yml
index d4a042048c..7f19a93804 100644
--- a/.vsts-ci/templates/ci-general.yml
+++ b/.vsts-ci/templates/ci-general.yml
@@ -70,6 +70,18 @@ steps:
     workingDirectory: $(Build.SourcesDirectory)/vscode-powershell
     pwsh: ${{ parameters.pwsh }}
 
+- task: PowerShell@2
+  displayName: Assert PowerShellEditorServices release configuration
+  inputs:
+    targetType: inline
+    script: |
+      $assembly = [Reflection.Assembly]::LoadFile("$(Build.SourcesDirectory)/vscode-powershell/modules/PowerShellEditorServices.VSCode/bin/Microsoft.PowerShell.EditorServices.VSCode.dll")
+      if ($assembly.GetCustomAttributes([System.Diagnostics.DebuggableAttribute], $true).IsJITOptimizerDisabled) {
+        Write-Host "##vso[task.LogIssue type=error;] PowerShell Editor Services bits were not built in release configuration!"
+        exit 1
+      }
+    pwsh: ${{ parameters.pwsh }}
+
 - publish: $(vsixPath)
   artifact: vscode-powershell-vsix-$(System.JobId)
   displayName: Publish extension artifact
diff --git a/vscode-powershell.build.ps1 b/vscode-powershell.build.ps1
index 8c9131f071..1e170a3a1f 100644
--- a/vscode-powershell.build.ps1
+++ b/vscode-powershell.build.ps1
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ task RestoreEditorServices -If (Get-EditorServicesPath) {
             }
 
             Write-Host "`n### Building PSES`n" -ForegroundColor Green
-            Invoke-Build Build (Get-EditorServicesPath)
+            Invoke-Build Build (Get-EditorServicesPath) -Configuration $Configuration
         }
         "Release" {
             # When releasing, we ensure the bits are not symlinked but copied,
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ task RestoreEditorServices -If (Get-EditorServicesPath) {
                 # We only build if it hasn't been built at all.
                 if (!(Test-Path "$(Split-Path (Get-EditorServicesPath))/module/PowerShellEditorServices/bin")) {
                     Write-Host "`n### Building PSES`n" -ForegroundColor Green
-                    Invoke-Build Build (Get-EditorServicesPath)
+                    Invoke-Build Build (Get-EditorServicesPath) -Configuration $Configuration
                 }
 
                 Write-Host "`n### Copying PSES`n" -ForegroundColor Green