diff --git a/core/hakmem_debug.c b/core/hakmem_debug.c
index 3a2c0965..7e077171 100644
--- a/core/hakmem_debug.c
+++ b/core/hakmem_debug.c
@@ -149,11 +149,15 @@ static void atexit_handler(void) {
 void hkm_timing_init(void) {
     if (g_initialized) return;
 
-    // Check HAKMEM_TIMING environment variable
+#if !HAKMEM_BUILD_RELEASE
+    // Check HAKMEM_TIMING environment variable (gated behind !HAKMEM_BUILD_RELEASE)
     const char* env = getenv("HAKMEM_TIMING");
     if (env && strcmp(env, "1") == 0) {
         g_timing_enabled = 1;
     }
+#else
+    g_timing_enabled = 0;  // Always disabled in release builds
+#endif
 
     // Initialize global stats
     memset(g_global_stats, 0, sizeof(g_global_stats));