diff --git a/CMake/mitkBuildConfigurationWorkbenchRelease.cmake b/CMake/mitkBuildConfigurationWorkbenchRelease.cmake
index c89ea2a18c..d354b0bb40 100644
--- a/CMake/mitkBuildConfigurationWorkbenchRelease.cmake
+++ b/CMake/mitkBuildConfigurationWorkbenchRelease.cmake
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 include(${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/mitkBuildConfigurationDefault.cmake)
 
-set(MITK_VTK_DEBUG_LEAKS FALSE)
+set(MITK_VTK_DEBUG_LEAKS OFF CACHE BOOL "Enable VTK Debug Leaks" FORCE)