diff --git a/tools/ninja.bat b/tools/ninja.bat
index 3100b3b03..7d939846e 100755
--- a/tools/ninja.bat
+++ b/tools/ninja.bat
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 @echo off
 set CARGO_TARGET_DIR=%~dp0\..\out\rust
 REM separate build+run steps so build env doesn't leak into subprocesses
-cargo build -p runner || exit /b 1
-out\rust\debug\runner build %* || exit /b 1
+cargo build -p runner --release || exit /b 1
+out\rust\release\runner build %* || exit /b 1