diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 57cc035e..05988d2c 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -44,11 +44,9 @@ else()
 endif()
 
 option(OPTION_DEVELOPER_MODE "Developer Mode" OFF)
-if(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE MATCHES "^[Rr]el")
-  option(OPTION_BUILD_PYTHON_BINDINGS "Build python bindings" OFF)
-else()
-  message(WARNING "** Python Bindings are disabled in debug build mode.")
-  set(OPTION_BUILD_PYTHON_BINDINGS False)
+option(OPTION_BUILD_PYTHON_BINDINGS "Build python bindings" OFF)
+if(OPTION_BUILD_PYTHON_BINDINGS AND NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE MATCHES "^[Rr]el")
+  message(FATAL_ERROR "** Python Bindings can only be built in release build mode.")
 endif()
 option(${PROJECT_NAME}_TESTS "Build the tests" OFF)
 option(${PROJECT_NAME}_EXAMPLES "Build the examples" ON)