diff --git a/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs b/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs
index bd88c55cb8..5a63547972 100644
--- a/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs
+++ b/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs
@@ -825,7 +825,7 @@ public sealed class SamplesValidation(ITestOutputHelper outputHelper) : IAsyncLi
         ProcessStartInfo buildInfo = new()
         {
             FileName = "dotnet",
-            Arguments = $"build -f {s_dotnetTargetFramework}",
+            Arguments = $"build -f {s_dotnetTargetFramework} -c Release",
             WorkingDirectory = samplePath,
             UseShellExecute = false,
             RedirectStandardOutput = true,
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ public sealed class SamplesValidation(ITestOutputHelper outputHelper) : IAsyncLi
         ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new()
         {
             FileName = "dotnet",
-            Arguments = $"run --no-build -f {s_dotnetTargetFramework} --port {AzureFunctionsPort}",
+            Arguments = $"run --no-build -f {s_dotnetTargetFramework} -c Release --port {AzureFunctionsPort}",
             WorkingDirectory = samplePath,
             UseShellExecute = false,
             RedirectStandardOutput = true,