diff --git a/tools/cli/commands.js b/tools/cli/commands.js
index 04a4d3b555..410f54641d 100644
--- a/tools/cli/commands.js
+++ b/tools/cli/commands.js
@@ -977,10 +977,7 @@ on an OS X system.");
         buildmessage.enterJob(
           { title: `building Cordova app for \
 ${cordova.displayNameForPlatform(platform)}` }, () => {
-            let buildOptions = [];
-            if (!options.debug) {
-              buildOptions.push('--release');
-            }
+            let buildOptions = { release: !options.debug };
             cordovaProject.buildForPlatform(platform, buildOptions);
 
             const buildPath = files.pathJoin(
diff --git a/tools/cordova/project.js b/tools/cordova/project.js
index ae30b37570..50620ec07a 100644
--- a/tools/cordova/project.js
+++ b/tools/cordova/project.js
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ ${displayNameForPlatform(platform)}`, async () => {
 
   // Building (includes prepare)
 
-  buildForPlatform(platform, options = [], extraPaths) {
+  buildForPlatform(platform, options = {}, extraPaths) {
     assert(platform);
 
     const commandOptions = _.extend(this.defaultOptions,