diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 98948498fd..1b94f7851a 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -2098,6 +2098,11 @@
     ])
     AC_SUBST(RUST_FEATURES)
 
+    AC_ARG_ENABLE(rust_debug,
+           AS_HELP_STRING([--enable-rust-debug], [Rust not in --release mode]),,[enable_rust_debug=no])
+    AM_CONDITIONAL([RUST_DEBUG], [test "x$enable_rust_debug" = "xyes"])
+    AC_SUBST(RUST_DEBUG)
+
 # get revision
     if test -f ./revision; then
         REVISION=`cat ./revision`
@@ -2212,6 +2217,7 @@ SURICATA_BUILD_CONF="Suricata Configuration:
   Rust support (experimental):             ${enable_rust}
   Experimental Rust parsers:               ${enable_rust_experimental}
   Rust strict mode:                        ${enable_rust_strict}
+  Rust debug mode:                         ${enable_rust_debug}
 
   Suricatasc install:                      ${enable_python}
 
diff --git a/rust/Makefile.am b/rust/Makefile.am
index 52ec5a2602..370924603b 100644
--- a/rust/Makefile.am
+++ b/rust/Makefile.am
@@ -15,9 +15,11 @@ if HAVE_RUST_VENDOR
 FROZEN = --frozen
 endif
 
+if !RUST_DEBUG
 if !DEBUG
 RELEASE = --release
 endif
+endif
 
 if HAVE_LUA
 RUST_FEATURES +=	lua