diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 277de435..f60dcf7e 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -24,11 +24,15 @@ option(BUILD_EMACSLISP "Build and install ledger-mode for Emacs" OFF)
 if(BUILD_DEBUG)
   set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Debug)
   set(DEBUG_MODE 1)
+  set(NDEBUG 0)
 elseif(NO_ASSERTS)
   set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Release)
+  set(DEBUG_MODE 0)
   set(NDEBUG 1)
 else()
   set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Release)
+  set(DEBUG_MODE 0)
+  set(NDEBUG 0)
 endif()
 
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