diff --git a/.github/workflows/java-publish.yml b/.github/workflows/java-publish.yml
index 93c22efa..37d482ee 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/java-publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/java-publish.yml
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: Swatinem/rust-cache@v2
       - uses: actions-rust-lang/setup-rust-toolchain@v1
         with:
-          toolchain: "1.79.0"
+          toolchain: "1.81.0"
           cache-workspaces: "./java/core/lancedb-jni"
           # Disable full debug symbol generation to speed up CI build and keep memory down
           # "1" means line tables only, which is useful for panic tracebacks.
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Dry run
         if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
         run: |
-          mvn --batch-mode -DskipTests package
+          mvn --batch-mode -DskipTests -Drust.release.build=true package
       - name: Set github
         run: |
           git config --global user.email "LanceDB Github Runner"
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "use-agent" >> ~/.gnupg/gpg.conf
           echo "pinentry-mode loopback" >> ~/.gnupg/gpg.conf
           export GPG_TTY=$(tty)
-          mvn --batch-mode -DskipTests -DpushChanges=false -Dgpg.passphrase=${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }} deploy -P deploy-to-ossrh
+          mvn --batch-mode -DskipTests -Drust.release.build=true -DpushChanges=false -Dgpg.passphrase=${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }} deploy -P deploy-to-ossrh
         env:
           SONATYPE_USER: ${{ secrets.SONATYPE_USER }}
           SONATYPE_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SONATYPE_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/java/core/pom.xml b/java/core/pom.xml
index b9e049b6..7971328d 100644
--- a/java/core/pom.xml
+++ b/java/core/pom.xml
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@
     <artifactId>lancedb-core</artifactId>
     <name>LanceDB Core</name>
     <packaging>jar</packaging>
+    <properties>
+        <rust.release.build>false</rust.release.build>
+    </properties>
 
     <dependencies>
         <dependency>
@@ -68,7 +71,7 @@
                                 </goals>
                                 <configuration>
                                     <path>lancedb-jni</path>
-                                    <release>true</release>
+                                    <release>${rust.release.build}</release>
                                     <!-- Copy native libraries to target/classes for runtime access -->
                                     <copyTo>${project.build.directory}/classes/nativelib</copyTo>
                                     <copyWithPlatformDir>true</copyWithPlatformDir>