diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 58d0f2ec..ea3465b0 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,9 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.0)
+
+if(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+  set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Debug" CACHE STRING "Choose the type of build, options are: Debug Release RelWithDebInfo MinSizeRel." FORCE)
+endif(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+
 #yquake cmake configuration
 project (yquake2)