diff --git a/pkgs/applications/audio/giada/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/audio/giada/default.nix
index d2ccb6d47472..b277175ec102 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/audio/giada/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/audio/giada/default.nix
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_BINDIR=bin"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
   ];
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/audio/sfizz/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/audio/sfizz/default.nix
index 05957bf38f2b..4f203a77dc86 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/audio/sfizz/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/audio/sfizz/default.nix
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
       --replace '/usr/bin/zenity' '${gnome.zenity}/bin/zenity'
   '';
 
-  cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release" "-DSFIZZ_TESTS=ON" ];
+  cmakeFlags = [ "-DSFIZZ_TESTS=ON" ];
 
   doCheck = true;
 
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/audio/spotify-qt/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/audio/spotify-qt/default.nix
index 65a921ed5bf2..d302643eb47d 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/audio/spotify-qt/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/audio/spotify-qt/default.nix
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ mkDerivation rec {
 
    nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
 
-   cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release" "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=" ];
+   cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=" ];
 
    installFlags = [ "DESTDIR=$(out)" ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/aeon/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/aeon/default.nix
index 13928c856b99..7928a63b8264 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/aeon/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/aeon/default.nix
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
   ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DBUILD_GUI_DEPS=ON"
     "-DReadline_ROOT_DIR=${readline.dev}"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/haven-cli/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/haven-cli/default.nix
index 2bc3a683ef50..066bbde363ac 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/haven-cli/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/haven-cli/default.nix
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ++ lib.optionals trezorSupport [ libusb1 protobuf python3 ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DUSE_DEVICE_TREZOR=ON"
     "-DBUILD_GUI_DEPS=ON"
     "-DReadline_ROOT_DIR=${readline.dev}"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/monero-cli/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/monero-cli/default.nix
index 8322a67dd5a1..2f508897821c 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/monero-cli/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/monero-cli/default.nix
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     ++ lib.optionals trezorSupport [ libusb1 protobuf python3 ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DUSE_DEVICE_TREZOR=ON"
     "-DBUILD_GUI_DEPS=ON"
     "-DReadline_ROOT_DIR=${readline.dev}"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/oxen/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/oxen/default.nix
index a8948d7df5a1..0136bc910da9 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/blockchains/oxen/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/blockchains/oxen/default.nix
@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ] ++ lib.optionals trezorSupport [ libusb1 protobuf python3 ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     # "-DUSE_DEVICE_TREZOR=ON"
     # "-DBUILD_GUI_DEPS=ON"
     "-DReadline_ROOT_DIR=${readline.dev}"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/editors/rstudio/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/editors/rstudio/default.nix
index e854291310b8..a619c636cd53 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/editors/rstudio/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/editors/rstudio/default.nix
@@ -115,7 +115,6 @@ in
 
     cmakeFlags = [
       "-DRSTUDIO_TARGET=${if server then "Server" else "Desktop"}"
-      "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
       "-DRSTUDIO_USE_SYSTEM_SOCI=ON"
       "-DRSTUDIO_USE_SYSTEM_BOOST=ON"
       "-DRSTUDIO_USE_SYSTEM_YAML_CPP=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/emulators/vbam/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/emulators/vbam/default.nix
index 2b252f0f10de..32f3c98fd0ef 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/emulators/vbam/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/emulators/vbam/default.nix
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE='Release'"
     "-DENABLE_FFMPEG='true'"
     "-DENABLE_LINK='true'"
     "-DSYSCONFDIR=etc"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/graphics/brlcad/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/graphics/brlcad/default.nix
index 2a0853fb2212..f30a6acbbbee 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/graphics/brlcad/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/graphics/brlcad/default.nix
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DBRLCAD_ENABLE_STRICT=OFF"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
   ];
 
   meta = with lib; {
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/graphics/krita/generic.nix b/pkgs/applications/graphics/krita/generic.nix
index 4f16661cedb1..4a946ef8c159 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/graphics/krita/generic.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/graphics/krita/generic.nix
@@ -47,10 +47,11 @@ mkDerivation rec {
       --replace 'PYTHONPATH=''${_krita_python_path}' 'PYTHONPATH=${pythonPath}'
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "RelWithDebInfo";
+
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DPYQT5_SIP_DIR=${python3Packages.pyqt5}/${python3Packages.python.sitePackages}/PyQt5/bindings"
     "-DPYQT_SIP_DIR_OVERRIDE=${python3Packages.pyqt5}/${python3Packages.python.sitePackages}/PyQt5/bindings"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo"
   ];
 
   preInstall = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/graphics/paraview/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/graphics/paraview/default.nix
index c50a0ebb7490..14c86082e671 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/graphics/paraview/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/graphics/paraview/default.nix
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   '';
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DPARAVIEW_ENABLE_FFMPEG=ON"
     "-DPARAVIEW_ENABLE_GDAL=ON"
     "-DPARAVIEW_ENABLE_MOTIONFX=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/huggle/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/huggle/default.nix
index a136f1f678ae..3a6f25ede695 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/huggle/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/huggle/default.nix
@@ -40,9 +40,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     substituteInPlace src/CMakeLists.txt --replace '@libirc_includes@' '${libirc.out}'
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "None";
+
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-S" "/build/source/src"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=None"
     "-DINSTALL_DATA_DIR=bin"
     "-DQT5_BUILD=ON"
     "-DWEB_ENGINE=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/keyleds/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/keyleds/default.nix
index c48b30b34dc9..a759b8e393e9 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/keyleds/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/keyleds/default.nix
@@ -52,9 +52,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   enableParallelBuilding = true;
 
-  cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=MinSizeRel"
-  ];
+  cmakeBuildType = "MinSizeRel";
 
   meta = {
     homepage = "https://github.com/keyleds/keyleds";
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/misc/opentrack/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/misc/opentrack/default.nix
index b4c455c0ce04..84edbc567b41 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/misc/opentrack/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/misc/opentrack/default.nix
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ in
     dontWrapQtApps = true;
 
     cmakeFlags = [
-      "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RELEASE"
       "-DSDK_ARUCO_LIBPATH=${aruco}/lib/libaruco.a"
       "-DSDK_XPLANE=${xplaneSdk}"
     ];
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/networking/qv2ray/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/networking/qv2ray/default.nix
index bb9bb957f3d3..038d904f453b 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/networking/qv2ray/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/networking/qv2ray/default.nix
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DQV2RAY_DISABLE_AUTO_UPDATE=on"
     "-DQV2RAY_USE_V5_CORE=on"
     "-DQV2RAY_TRANSLATION_PATH=${placeholder "out"}/share/qv2ray/lang"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/radio/soapysdr/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/radio/soapysdr/default.nix
index e11e2af401b9..201a5055e601 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/radio/soapysdr/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/radio/soapysdr/default.nix
@@ -38,9 +38,7 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
 
   propagatedBuildInputs = lib.optional usePython python.pkgs.numpy;
 
-  cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
-  ] ++ lib.optional usePython "-DUSE_PYTHON_CONFIG=ON";
+  cmakeFlags = lib.optional usePython "-DUSE_PYTHON_CONFIG=ON";
 
   # https://github.com/pothosware/SoapySDR/issues/352
   postPatch = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/biology/sortmerna/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/biology/sortmerna/default.nix
index 6884e1955f75..a529867aaa74 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/biology/sortmerna/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/biology/sortmerna/default.nix
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   buildInputs = [ zlib rocksdb rapidjson ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DPORTABLE=off"
     "-DRAPIDJSON_HOME=${rapidjson}"
     "-DROCKSDB_HOME=${rocksdb}"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/kicad/base.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/kicad/base.nix
index fa9b77037038..3403e410cf85 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/kicad/base.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/kicad/base.nix
@@ -104,7 +104,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "-DKICAD_BUILD_QA_TESTS=OFF"
   ]
   ++ optionals (debug) [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug"
     "-DKICAD_STDLIB_DEBUG=ON"
     "-DKICAD_USE_VALGRIND=ON"
   ]
@@ -115,6 +114,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     "-DKICAD_SANITIZE_THREADS=ON"
   ];
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debug then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   nativeBuildInputs = [
     cmake
     doxygen
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/openboardview/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/openboardview/default.nix
index 715a99cf4897..a750001d05db 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/openboardview/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/electronics/openboardview/default.nix
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   '';
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DGLAD_REPRODUCIBLE=On"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc4/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc4/default.nix
index e9f04d2044dc..1513c7477985 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc4/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc4/default.nix
@@ -35,9 +35,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   preConfigure = ''
     patchShebangs ./src/
   '';
-  cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Production"
-  ];
+
+  cmakeBuildType = "Production";
 
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "A high-performance theorem prover and SMT solver";
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc5/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc5/default.nix
index 24bcb16df9d9..9a540f5b5507 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc5/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/logic/cvc5/default.nix
@@ -21,8 +21,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     patchShebangs ./src/
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "Production";
+
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Production"
     "-DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=1"
     "-DANTLR3_JAR=${antlr3_4}/lib/antlr/antlr-3.4-complete.jar"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/logic/klee/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/logic/klee/default.nix
index 401b2f48a6ea..68f68355f816 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/logic/klee/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/logic/klee/default.nix
@@ -72,10 +72,11 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     (lit.override { python = kleePython; })
   ];
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debug then "Debug" else if !debug && includeDebugInfo then "RelWithDebInfo" else "MinSizeRel";
+
   cmakeFlags = let
     onOff = val: if val then "ON" else "OFF";
   in [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debug then "Debug" else if !debug && includeDebugInfo then "RelWithDebInfo" else "MinSizeRel"}"
     "-DKLEE_RUNTIME_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugRuntime then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVMCC=${clang}/bin/clang"
     "-DLLVMCXX=${clang}/bin/clang++"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/video/hyperion-ng/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/video/hyperion-ng/default.nix
index a1eb4086e89c..43bd337ae500 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/video/hyperion-ng/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/video/hyperion-ng/default.nix
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   '' ;
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DENABLE_DEPLOY_DEPENDENCIES=OFF"
     "-DUSE_SYSTEM_FLATBUFFERS_LIBS=ON"
     "-DUSE_SYSTEM_PROTO_LIBS=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/video/jellyfin-media-player/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/video/jellyfin-media-player/default.nix
index 5c26d20eda98..47afaef81a63 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/video/jellyfin-media-player/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/video/jellyfin-media-player/default.nix
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DQTROOT=${qtbase}"
     "-GNinja"
   ] ++ lib.optionals (!withDbus) [
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/video/plex-media-player/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/video/plex-media-player/default.nix
index 34b6eb9c2862..6a686d9d2c2a 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/video/plex-media-player/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/video/plex-media-player/default.nix
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@ in mkDerivation rec {
     ln -s ${webClientTv} build/dependencies/web-client-tv-${webClientTvBuildId}.tar.xz
   '';
 
-  cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo" "-DQTROOT=${qtbase}" ];
+  cmakeBuildType = "RelWithDebInfo";
+
+  cmakeFlags = [ "-DQTROOT=${qtbase}" ];
 
   # plexmediaplayer currently segfaults under wayland
   qtWrapperArgs = [ "--set" "QT_QPA_PLATFORM" "xcb" ];
diff --git a/pkgs/applications/window-managers/hyprwm/hyprpicker/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/window-managers/hyprwm/hyprpicker/default.nix
index 73db7f0353fc..17f53883424c 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/window-managers/hyprwm/hyprpicker/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/window-managers/hyprwm/hyprpicker/default.nix
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
     hash = "sha256-k+rG5AZjz47Q6bpVcTK7r4s7Avg3O+1iw+skK+cn0rk=";
   };
 
-  cmakeFlags = lib.optional debug "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug";
+  cmakeBuildType = if debug then "Debug" else "Release";
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [
     cmake
diff --git a/pkgs/data/themes/kwin-decorations/sierra-breeze-enhanced/default.nix b/pkgs/data/themes/kwin-decorations/sierra-breeze-enhanced/default.nix
index 6e9db943c91c..46d6af5f24c4 100644
--- a/pkgs/data/themes/kwin-decorations/sierra-breeze-enhanced/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/data/themes/kwin-decorations/sierra-breeze-enhanced/default.nix
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=$out"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DBUILD_TESTING=OFF"
     "-DKDE_INSTALL_USE_QT_SYS_PATHS=ON"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/ldc/generic.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/ldc/generic.nix
index f88f4484cfd1..130dcecf1201 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/ldc/generic.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/ldc/generic.nix
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DD_FLAGS=-d-version=TZDatabaseDir;-d-version=LibcurlPath;-J${pathConfig}"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
   ];
 
   postConfigure = ''
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/10/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/10/llvm/default.nix
index 6f8ef0b57512..c4e6f2827e82 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/10/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/10/llvm/default.nix
@@ -204,6 +204,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
     ln -sv $PWD/lib $out
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -219,7 +221,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/11/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/11/llvm/default.nix
index a5078ef3b76d..01e6483ad640 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/11/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/11/llvm/default.nix
@@ -212,6 +212,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
   # E.g. mesa.drivers use the build-id as a cache key (see #93946):
   LDFLAGS = optionalString (enableSharedLibraries && !stdenv.isDarwin) "-Wl,--build-id=sha1";
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -227,7 +229,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/12/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/12/llvm/default.nix
index 3c724e07bd16..97d8f27672e3 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/12/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/12/llvm/default.nix
@@ -202,6 +202,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
   # E.g. mesa.drivers use the build-id as a cache key (see #93946):
   LDFLAGS = optionalString (enableSharedLibraries && !stdenv.isDarwin) "-Wl,--build-id=sha1";
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -217,7 +219,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/13/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/13/llvm/default.nix
index 827e528581cf..2a7c1c1867cb 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/13/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/13/llvm/default.nix
@@ -164,6 +164,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
   # E.g. mesa.drivers use the build-id as a cache key (see #93946):
   LDFLAGS = optionalString (enableSharedLibraries && !stdenv.isDarwin) "-Wl,--build-id=sha1";
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -179,7 +181,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/14/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/14/llvm/default.nix
index 06b549983527..081c84c04e06 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/14/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/14/llvm/default.nix
@@ -162,6 +162,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
   # E.g. mesa.drivers use the build-id as a cache key (see #93946):
   LDFLAGS = optionalString (enableSharedLibraries && !stdenv.isDarwin) "-Wl,--build-id=sha1";
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -177,7 +179,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/15/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/15/llvm/default.nix
index 7742fc0a186c..e6f339ff6d6d 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/15/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/15/llvm/default.nix
@@ -298,6 +298,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
   # E.g. mesa.drivers use the build-id as a cache key (see #93946):
   LDFLAGS = optionalString (enableSharedLibraries && !stdenv.isDarwin) "-Wl,--build-id=sha1";
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -313,7 +315,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/16/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/16/llvm/default.nix
index 8e676f5ad46d..c70f9d37a562 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/16/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/16/llvm/default.nix
@@ -286,6 +286,8 @@ in
   # E.g. mesa.drivers use the build-id as a cache key (see #93946):
   LDFLAGS = optionalString (enableSharedLibraries && !stdenv.isDarwin) "-Wl,--build-id=sha1";
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -301,7 +303,6 @@ in
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/5/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/5/llvm/default.nix
index 219ae190e955..74523490244f 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/5/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/5/llvm/default.nix
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
     ln -sv $PWD/lib $out
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -156,7 +158,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/6/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/6/llvm/default.nix
index 1c75660c20f5..72e43ba8d1fa 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/6/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/6/llvm/default.nix
@@ -161,6 +161,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
     ln -sv $PWD/lib $out
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -176,7 +178,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/7/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/7/llvm/default.nix
index 7bfaef7d00b0..97ac428a7f55 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/7/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/7/llvm/default.nix
@@ -179,6 +179,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
     ln -sv $PWD/lib $out
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -194,7 +196,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/8/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/8/llvm/default.nix
index f95cefb9addd..8a0fea85e260 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/8/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/8/llvm/default.nix
@@ -178,6 +178,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
     ln -sv $PWD/lib $out
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -193,7 +195,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/9/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/9/llvm/default.nix
index b7259ac19150..526030d6b34d 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/9/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/9/llvm/default.nix
@@ -193,6 +193,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
     ln -sv $PWD/lib $out
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -208,7 +210,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/git/llvm/default.nix b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/git/llvm/default.nix
index 634cd7829533..66b0a7438cef 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/git/llvm/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/compilers/llvm/git/llvm/default.nix
@@ -283,6 +283,8 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
   # E.g. mesa.drivers use the build-id as a cache key (see #93946):
   LDFLAGS = optionalString (enableSharedLibraries && !stdenv.isDarwin) "-Wl,--build-id=sha1";
 
+  cmakeBuildType = if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release";
+
   cmakeFlags = with stdenv; let
     # These flags influence llvm-config's BuildVariables.inc in addition to the
     # general build. We need to make sure these are also passed via
@@ -298,7 +300,6 @@ in stdenv.mkDerivation (rec {
       "-DLLVM_LINK_LLVM_DYLIB=ON"
     ];
   in flagsForLlvmConfig ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debugVersion then "Debug" else "Release"}"
     "-DLLVM_INSTALL_UTILS=ON"  # Needed by rustc
     "-DLLVM_BUILD_TESTS=${if doCheck then "ON" else "OFF"}"
     "-DLLVM_ENABLE_FFI=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/flatcc/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/flatcc/default.nix
index a65ad5c6fe37..1f487955b3f3 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/flatcc/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/flatcc/default.nix
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DFLATCC_INSTALL=on"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
   ];
 
   env.NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = toString [
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/libyang/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/libyang/default.nix
index 9102286746b6..88fdfcca03ca 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/libyang/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/libyang/default.nix
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR=lib"
     "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_INCLUDEDIR=include"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:String=Release"
   ];
 
   passthru.updateScript = gitUpdater {
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/muparserx/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/muparserx/default.nix
index 2b3d2853d132..8a7d2c8f3646 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/muparserx/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/muparserx/default.nix
@@ -16,10 +16,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
 
-  cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
-  ];
-
   doCheck = true;
   checkPhase = ''
     echo "***Muparserx self-test***"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/onnxruntime/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/onnxruntime/default.nix
index 1b955b57de42..4a9ee61f5614 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/onnxruntime/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/onnxruntime/default.nix
@@ -133,7 +133,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DABSL_ENABLE_INSTALL=ON"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RELEASE"
     "-DFETCHCONTENT_FULLY_DISCONNECTED=ON"
     "-DFETCHCONTENT_QUIET=OFF"
     "-DFETCHCONTENT_SOURCE_DIR_ABSEIL_CPP=${abseil-cpp.src}"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/gstreamer.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/gstreamer.nix
index fc0afbe2184c..a94234aec41b 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/gstreamer.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/gstreamer.nix
@@ -58,9 +58,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     qttools
   ];
 
-  cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debug then "Debug" else "Release"}"
-  ];
+  cmakeBuildType = if debug then "Debug" else "Release";
 
   meta = with lib; {
     homepage = "https://phonon.kde.org/";
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/vlc.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/vlc.nix
index 42923d4f026b..a50a07dde1a1 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/vlc.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/backends/vlc.nix
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   dontWrapQtApps = true;
 
-  cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debug then "Debug" else "Release"}"
-  ];
+  cmakeBuildType = if debug then "Debug" else "Release";
 
   meta = with lib; {
     homepage = "https://community.kde.org/Phonon";
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/default.nix
index 59d9e19556aa..dc95b4ed8266 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/phonon/default.nix
@@ -52,9 +52,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   env.NIX_CFLAGS_COMPILE = "-fPIC";
 
-  cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${if debug then "Debug" else "Release"}"
-  ];
+  cmakeBuildType = if debug then "Debug" else "Release";
 
   dontWrapQtApps = true;
 
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/reproc/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/reproc/default.nix
index 2083a6a7af4d..680455d4cb5a 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/reproc/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/reproc/default.nix
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR=lib"
     "-DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON"
     "-DREPROC++=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/rnnoise-plugin/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/rnnoise-plugin/default.nix
index d5f5268ac8eb..39a8f1a4b6a6 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/rnnoise-plugin/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/rnnoise-plugin/default.nix
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
       simd
     ];
 
-  cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release" ];
-
   meta = with lib; {
     description = "A real-time noise suppression plugin for voice based on Xiph's RNNoise";
     homepage = "https://github.com/werman/noise-suppression-for-voice";
diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/sentry-native/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/sentry-native/default.nix
index 9f6ac99c6f02..09989fb7bddf 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/sentry-native/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/sentry-native/default.nix
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     breakpad
   ];
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "RelWithDebInfo";
+
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo"
     "-DSENTRY_BREAKPAD_SYSTEM=On"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/development/python-modules/gudhi/default.nix b/pkgs/development/python-modules/gudhi/default.nix
index 6fbba605da99..1e0932e62867 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/python-modules/gudhi/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/python-modules/gudhi/default.nix
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ buildPythonPackage rec {
   nativeCheckInputs = [ pytest ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DWITH_GUDHI_PYTHON=ON"
     "-DPython_ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS=3"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/development/tools/wasmedge/default.nix b/pkgs/development/tools/wasmedge/default.nix
index 741a610c8907..6ebbe75a15bb 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/tools/wasmedge/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/tools/wasmedge/default.nix
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
   ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DWASMEDGE_BUILD_TESTS=OFF" # Tests are downloaded using git
   ] ++ lib.optionals stdenv.isDarwin [
     "-DWASMEDGE_FORCE_DISABLE_LTO=ON"
diff --git a/pkgs/games/etlegacy/default.nix b/pkgs/games/etlegacy/default.nix
index ee5d31874c68..befbbc5ed291 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/etlegacy/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/etlegacy/default.nix
@@ -100,7 +100,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
   '';
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DCROSS_COMPILE32=0"
     "-DBUILD_SERVER=1"
     "-DBUILD_CLIENT=1"
diff --git a/pkgs/games/lzwolf/default.nix b/pkgs/games/lzwolf/default.nix
index 7598022f31b1..37bcc7fc8e06 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/lzwolf/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/lzwolf/default.nix
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DGPL=ON"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/games/nanosaur/default.nix b/pkgs/games/nanosaur/default.nix
index 5460d3d87e02..4ec59b726ee3 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/nanosaur/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/nanosaur/default.nix
@@ -20,8 +20,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     SDL2
   ];
 
-  cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release" ];
-
   installPhase = ''
     runHook preInstall
     mkdir -p "$out/bin"
diff --git a/pkgs/games/nanosaur2/default.nix b/pkgs/games/nanosaur2/default.nix
index 423d40e71c6c..7ab77623e653 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/nanosaur2/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/nanosaur2/default.nix
@@ -20,8 +20,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     SDL2
   ];
 
-  cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release" ];
-
   installPhase = ''
     runHook preInstall
     mkdir -p "$out/bin"
diff --git a/pkgs/games/openmw/tes3mp.nix b/pkgs/games/openmw/tes3mp.nix
index f236bc8cd5e5..8b6c96c5286f 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/openmw/tes3mp.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/openmw/tes3mp.nix
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ let
     };
 
     cmakeFlags = [
-      "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
       "-DCRABNET_ENABLE_DLL=OFF"
     ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/games/otto-matic/default.nix b/pkgs/games/otto-matic/default.nix
index 800b97b2b86e..c56db251a1b0 100644
--- a/pkgs/games/otto-matic/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/games/otto-matic/default.nix
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     SDL2
   ];
 
-  cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release" ];
-
   installPhase = ''
     runHook preInstall
 
diff --git a/pkgs/misc/drivers/epsonscan2/default.nix b/pkgs/misc/drivers/epsonscan2/default.nix
index 325cbbd8707c..69c4c03b95e6 100644
--- a/pkgs/misc/drivers/epsonscan2/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/misc/drivers/epsonscan2/default.nix
@@ -97,7 +97,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
   ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     # The non-free (Debian) packages uses this directory structure so do the same when compiling
     # from source so we can easily merge them.
     "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR=lib/${system}-gnu"
diff --git a/pkgs/misc/dumb/default.nix b/pkgs/misc/dumb/default.nix
index 2a554d99b287..f80dea534a67 100644
--- a/pkgs/misc/dumb/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/misc/dumb/default.nix
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE='Release'"
     "-DBUILD_EXAMPLES='OFF'"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/servers/domoticz/default.nix b/pkgs/servers/domoticz/default.nix
index 869971d8fb89..6e50b4754438 100644
--- a/pkgs/servers/domoticz/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/servers/domoticz/default.nix
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DUSE_BUILTIN_MQTT=false"
     "-DUSE_BUILTIN_LUA=false"
     "-DUSE_BUILTIN_SQLITE=false"
diff --git a/pkgs/servers/nosql/arangodb/default.nix b/pkgs/servers/nosql/arangodb/default.nix
index 74d832803b1d..36c978e364fe 100644
--- a/pkgs/servers/nosql/arangodb/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/servers/nosql/arangodb/default.nix
@@ -62,10 +62,11 @@ gcc10Stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     patchShebangs utils
   '';
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "RelWithDebInfo";
+
   cmakeFlags = [
     "-DUSE_MAINTAINER_MODE=OFF"
     "-DUSE_GOOGLE_TESTS=OFF"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo"
 
     # avoid reading /proc/cpuinfo for feature detection
     "-DTARGET_ARCHITECTURE=${targetArch}"
diff --git a/pkgs/servers/tarantool/default.nix b/pkgs/servers/tarantool/default.nix
index bdb36a7f10ad..80b2e96d2d6d 100644
--- a/pkgs/servers/tarantool/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/servers/tarantool/default.nix
@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "RelWithDebInfo";
+
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo"
     "-DENABLE_DIST=ON"
     "-DTARANTOOL_VERSION=${version}.builtByNix" # expects the commit hash as well
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/graphics/astc-encoder/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/graphics/astc-encoder/default.nix
index 5e63038e67db..4403ab255dd3 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/graphics/astc-encoder/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/graphics/astc-encoder/default.nix
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   nativeBuildInputs = [ cmake ];
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "RelWithDebInfo";
+
   cmakeFlags = isaFlags ++ [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo"
     "-DASTCENC_UNIVERSAL_BUILD=OFF"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/aspcud/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/aspcud/default.nix
index e3f75693803c..cd290d5e085e 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/aspcud/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/aspcud/default.nix
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   buildInputs = [ boost clingo re2c ];
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DASPCUD_GRINGO_PATH=${clingo}/bin/gringo"
     "-DASPCUD_CLASP_PATH=${clingo}/bin/clasp"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/calamares/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/calamares/default.nix
index 00a06b857b0d..a82d62aed0df 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/calamares/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/calamares/default.nix
@@ -51,7 +51,6 @@ mkDerivation rec {
     "-DPYTHON_LIBRARY=${python}/lib/lib${python.libPrefix}.so"
     "-DPYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR=${python}/include/${python.libPrefix}"
     "-DCMAKE_VERBOSE_MAKEFILE=True"
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DWITH_PYTHONQT:BOOL=ON"
   ];
 
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/misc/clipboard-jh/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/misc/clipboard-jh/default.nix
index 9cebe31dd7b8..fe4f18eea8d2 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/misc/clipboard-jh/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/misc/clipboard-jh/default.nix
@@ -42,8 +42,9 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     darwin.apple_sdk.frameworks.AppKit
   ];
 
+  cmakeBuildType = "MinSizeRel";
+
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE='MinSizeRel'"
     "-Wno-dev"
     "-DINSTALL_PREFIX=${placeholder "out"}"
   ];
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/networking/ebpf-verifier/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/networking/ebpf-verifier/default.nix
index 972c72c4e57f..8605db55bba8 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/networking/ebpf-verifier/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/networking/ebpf-verifier/default.nix
@@ -39,8 +39,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation {
     yaml-cpp
   ];
 
-  cmakeFlags = [ "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release" ];
-
   installPhase = ''
     runHook preInstall
 
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/security/sirikali/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/security/sirikali/default.nix
index a3e67a2b76a5..6ae689d95fd4 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/security/sirikali/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/security/sirikali/default.nix
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   doCheck = true;
 
   cmakeFlags = [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RELEASE"
     "-DINTERNAL_LXQT_WALLET=false"
     "-DNOKDESUPPORT=${if withKWallet then "false" else "true"}"
     "-DNOSECRETSUPPORT=${if withLibsecret then "false" else "true"}"
diff --git a/pkgs/tools/system/nvtop/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/system/nvtop/default.nix
index 1ab520cefac4..e47291207f08 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/system/nvtop/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/system/nvtop/default.nix
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   };
 
   cmakeFlags = with lib; [
-    "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release"
     "-DBUILD_TESTING=ON"
     "-DUSE_LIBUDEV_OVER_LIBSYSTEMD=ON"
   ] ++ optional nvidia "-DNVML_INCLUDE_DIRS=${cudatoolkit}/include"