diff --git a/debian/rules b/debian/rules
index 6ec8d893..44ea2a18 100755
--- a/debian/rules
+++ b/debian/rules
@@ -3,18 +3,19 @@
 # output every command that modifies files on the build system.
 #DH_VERBOSE = 1
 
+export BUILD_MODE=release
 
 %:
 	dh $@ --with=systemd --with=bash-completion
 
 override_dh_auto_build:
 	dh_auto_build -- \
-	    PROXY_USER=www-data BUILD_MODE=release \
+	    PROXY_USER=www-data \
 	    LIBDIR=/usr/lib/$(DEB_HOST_MULTIARCH)
 
 override_dh_auto_install:
 	dh_auto_install -- \
-	    PROXY_USER=www-data BUILD_MODE=release \
+	    PROXY_USER=www-data \
 	    LIBDIR=/usr/lib/$(DEB_HOST_MULTIARCH)
 
 override_dh_installinit: