diff --git a/default.nix b/default.nix
index 17b96349..e7698123 100644
--- a/default.nix
+++ b/default.nix
@@ -6,8 +6,9 @@
       (import (sources.gomod2nix+"/overlay.nix"))
     ];
 }
+, release ? true
 , cargo ? import ./Cargo.nix {
-    inherit nixpkgs pkgs; release = false;
+    inherit nixpkgs pkgs release;
     defaultCrateOverrides = pkgs.defaultCrateOverrides // {
       stackable-cockpit-web = attrs: {
         nativeBuildInputs = [ pkgs.nodePackages.yarn pkgs.nodejs_20 ];
diff --git a/rust/stackablectl/CHANGELOG.md b/rust/stackablectl/CHANGELOG.md
index 7e692e53..ac903cc4 100644
--- a/rust/stackablectl/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/rust/stackablectl/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,12 +7,14 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 ### Fixed
 
 - nix: Update nixpkgs and upgrade nodejs-18 to nodejs_20 ([#384]).
+- nix: Default to release build ([#388]).
 - Switch to idempotent Helm installations for demos and stacks ([#386]).
 - Ignore failed re-application of Jobs due to immutability in demo and stack installations.
   Display those manifests to the user, so they can decide if they need to delete and recreate it ([#386]).
 
 [#384]: https://github.com/stackabletech/stackable-cockpit/pull/384
 [#386]: https://github.com/stackabletech/stackable-cockpit/pull/386
+[#388]: https://github.com/stackabletech/stackable-cockpit/pull/388
 
 ## [1.0.0] - 2025-06-02