diff --git a/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/package.json b/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/package.json
index b5724c0bc..47c5bb57c 100644
--- a/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/package.json
+++ b/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/package.json
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@
     },
     "scripts": {
         "lint": "prettier --check .",
-        "build": "./scripts/build.sh",
+        "build": "WASM_PACK_ARGS=--release ./scripts/build.sh",
+        "build:dev": "WASM_PACK_ARGS=--dev ./scripts/build.sh",
         "test": "jest --verbose",
         "doc": "typedoc --tsconfig .",
         "prepack": "npm run build && npm run test"
diff --git a/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/scripts/build.sh b/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/scripts/build.sh
index 6eb149a96..f782a2b2e 100755
--- a/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/scripts/build.sh
+++ b/bindings/matrix-sdk-crypto-js/scripts/build.sh
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ set -e
 
 cd $(dirname "$0")/..
 
-RUSTFLAGS='-C opt-level=z' WASM_BINDGEN_WEAKREF=1 wasm-pack build --release --target nodejs --scope matrix-org --out-dir pkg
+RUSTFLAGS='-C opt-level=z' WASM_BINDGEN_WEAKREF=1 wasm-pack build --target nodejs --scope matrix-org --out-dir pkg "${WASM_PACK_ARGS[@]}"
 
 # Convert the Wasm into a JS file that exports the base64'ed Wasm.
 echo "module.exports = \`$(base64 pkg/matrix_sdk_crypto_js_bg.wasm)\`;" > pkg/matrix_sdk_crypto_js_bg.wasm.js