diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index d4a44e3a1..7dc119e2d 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -92,6 +92,10 @@ if(ENABLE_VULKAN)
     add_definitions(-DRENDERDOC_SUPPORT_VULKAN)
 endif()
 
+if(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE STREQUAL "Release")
+    add_definitions(-D_RELEASE)
+endif()
+
 if(CMAKE_COMPILER_IS_GNUCXX OR CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID MATCHES "Clang")
     set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -std=c++11 -fstrict-aliasing")
     set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -fvisibility=hidden -fvisibility-inlines-hidden")