diff --git a/release/pkg/manager/calico/manager.go b/release/pkg/manager/calico/manager.go
index fbc1f156193..8ef8562ab95 100644
--- a/release/pkg/manager/calico/manager.go
+++ b/release/pkg/manager/calico/manager.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ func NewManager(opts ...Option) *CalicoManager {
 	b := &CalicoManager{
 		runner:          &command.RealCommandRunner{},
 		validate:        true,
+		buildImages:     true,
 		publishImages:   true,
 		publishTag:      true,
 		publishGithub:   true,