diff --git a/src/plugins/android/androidbuildapkstep.cpp b/src/plugins/android/androidbuildapkstep.cpp
index 17342ba9fb2..0746a6b9be2 100644
--- a/src/plugins/android/androidbuildapkstep.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/android/androidbuildapkstep.cpp
@@ -611,9 +611,11 @@ bool AndroidBuildApkStep::init()
     QStringList argumentsPasswordConcealed = arguments;
 
     if (m_signPackage) {
-        arguments << "--sign" << m_keystorePath.toString() << m_certificateAlias
+        arguments << "--release"
+                  << "--sign" << m_keystorePath.toString() << m_certificateAlias
                   << "--storepass" << m_keystorePasswd;
-        argumentsPasswordConcealed << "--sign" << "******"
+        argumentsPasswordConcealed << "--release"
+                                   << "--sign" << "******"
                                    << "--storepass" << "******";
         if (!m_certificatePasswd.isEmpty()) {
             arguments << "--keypass" << m_certificatePasswd;