diff --git a/.circleci/config.yml b/.circleci/config.yml
index a43cb917fa..5841bb3931 100644
--- a/.circleci/config.yml
+++ b/.circleci/config.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ jobs:
             case ${MESSAGE} in
               Bump* ) echo 'export ELECTRON_RELEASE=1' >> $BASH_ENV
             esac
+            if [ -n "${RUN_RELEASE_BUILD}" ]; then
+              echo 'release build triggered from api'
+              echo 'export ELECTRON_RELEASE=1' >> $BASH_ENV
+            fi
       - run:
          name: Bootstrap
          command: |
@@ -63,7 +67,7 @@ jobs:
       - image: electronbuilds/electron:0.0.3
         environment:
           TARGET_ARCH: arm64
-    resource_class: xlarge          
+    resource_class: xlarge
     steps:
       - checkout
       - run: