diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 3212432d5fa..fb8be02b7e5 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ debian:
     - meson --version
     - meson _build
             --native-file=native.file
+            -D buildtype=debug
             -D build-tests=true
             -D libunwind=${UNWIND}
             ${DRI_LOADERS}