diff --git a/.gitlab-ci/build/gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci/build/gitlab-ci.yml
index 195c8c3a2c5..8f8b4a2f80e 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci/build/gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci/build/gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -167,6 +167,7 @@ debian-rusticl-testing:
 debian-build-testing:
   extends: .meson-build
   variables:
+    BUILDTYPE: debug
     UNWIND: "enabled"
     DRI_LOADERS: >
       -D glx=dri
@@ -336,6 +337,7 @@ debian-android:
     - .use-debian/android_build
     - .ci-deqp-artifacts
   variables:
+    BUILDTYPE: debug
     UNWIND: "disabled"
     C_ARGS: >
       -Wno-error=asm-operand-widths
@@ -506,6 +508,7 @@ debian-arm64-release:
 debian-clang:
   extends: .meson-build
   variables:
+    BUILDTYPE: debug
     LLVM_VERSION: 15
     UNWIND: "enabled"
     GALLIUM_DUMP_CPU: "true"
@@ -607,6 +610,7 @@ windows-vs2019:
 debian-rusticl:
   extends: .debian-cl
   variables:
+    BUILDTYPE: debug
     GALLIUM_DRIVERS: "iris,swrast"
     GALLIUM_ST: >
       -D dri3=disabled
@@ -622,6 +626,7 @@ debian-rusticl:
 debian-vulkan:
   extends: .meson-build
   variables:
+    BUILDTYPE: debug
     LLVM_VERSION: 15
     UNWIND: "disabled"
     DRI_LOADERS: >
@@ -655,6 +660,7 @@ debian-x86_32:
     - .meson-cross
     - .use-debian/x86_32_build
   variables:
+    BUILDTYPE: debug
     CROSS: i386
     VULKAN_DRIVERS: intel,amd,swrast,virtio
     GALLIUM_DRIVERS: "iris,nouveau,r300,r600,radeonsi,swrast,virgl,zink,crocus"
@@ -681,6 +687,7 @@ debian-ppc64el:
     - .use-debian/ppc64el_build
     - .ppc64el-rules
   variables:
+    BUILDTYPE: debug
     CROSS: ppc64el
     GALLIUM_DRIVERS: "nouveau,radeonsi,swrast,virgl,zink"
     VULKAN_DRIVERS: "amd,swrast"
diff --git a/.gitlab-ci/meson/build.sh b/.gitlab-ci/meson/build.sh
index 978fcd12f2b..af738522f78 100755
--- a/.gitlab-ci/meson/build.sh
+++ b/.gitlab-ci/meson/build.sh
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ meson setup _build \
       ${CROSS+--cross "$CROSS_FILE"} \
       -D prefix=$PWD/install \
       -D libdir=lib \
-      -D buildtype=${BUILDTYPE:-debug} \
+      -D buildtype=${BUILDTYPE:?} \
       -D build-tests=true \
       -D c_args="$(echo -n $C_ARGS)" \
       -D c_link_args="$(echo -n $C_LINK_ARGS)" \