diff --git a/mx.trufflesqueak/mx_trufflesqueak.py b/mx.trufflesqueak/mx_trufflesqueak.py
index 614691a29..f992b6adc 100644
--- a/mx.trufflesqueak/mx_trufflesqueak.py
+++ b/mx.trufflesqueak/mx_trufflesqueak.py
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ def patched_init(self, *args, **kw_args):
                 '-H:+DumpThreadStacksOnSignal',
                 '-H:+DetectUserDirectoriesInImageHeap',
                 '-H:+TruffleCheckBlockListMethods',
-            ],
+            ] + [] if _SUITE.is_release() else ['-Ob'], # use quick build mode for development
         )
     ],
     stability="experimental",