diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index d7197a11c..76b8c6e9e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      # use mold linker instead of the default linker only on linux
+      - uses: rui314/setup-mold@v1
+        if: ${{ runner.os == 'Linux' }}
+
       - uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
         with:
           components: clippy
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 312d0934f..220cc5b24 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -13,8 +13,10 @@ repository = "https://github.com/bytebeamio/rumqtt"
 license = "Apache-2.0"
 authors = ["tekjar <raviteja@bytebeam.io>"]
 
-[profile.dev.build-override]
-debug = true
+[profile.dev]
+# producing debug info in builds takes up a lot of space on runner, and we
+# are currently not using it.
+debug = false
 
 [profile.release]
 codegen-units = 1