diff --git a/Src/ILGPU/IR/Transformations/Optimizer.cs b/Src/ILGPU/IR/Transformations/Optimizer.cs
index bcbf61bcc..5e0a4b29f 100644
--- a/Src/ILGPU/IR/Transformations/Optimizer.cs
+++ b/Src/ILGPU/IR/Transformations/Optimizer.cs
@@ -119,10 +119,11 @@ public static void AddBackendOptimizations(
 
             // Lower structures
             if (level > OptimizationLevel.O1)
-            {
                 builder.Add(new LowerStructures());
+
+            // Apply final DCE phase in release mode
+            if (level > OptimizationLevel.O0)
                 builder.Add(new DeadCodeElimination());
-            }
         }
 
         /// <summary>