diff --git a/BUILD.gn b/BUILD.gn
index c162b824e09..3121dceccf7 100644
--- a/BUILD.gn
+++ b/BUILD.gn
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ declare_args() {
   v8_enable_gdbjit = false
 
   # Sets -dENABLE_HANDLE_ZAPPING.
-  v8_enable_handle_zapping = true
+  v8_enable_handle_zapping = is_debug
 
   # Enable ECMAScript Internationalization API. Enabling this feature will
   # add a dependency on the ICU library.
diff --git a/gypfiles/features.gypi b/gypfiles/features.gypi
index f82a59f0f82..5a21a63e324 100644
--- a/gypfiles/features.gypi
+++ b/gypfiles/features.gypi
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
       },  # Debug
       'Release': {
         'variables': {
-          'v8_enable_handle_zapping%': 1,
+          'v8_enable_handle_zapping%': 0,
         },
         'conditions': [
           ['v8_enable_handle_zapping==1', {