diff --git a/koch.nim b/koch.nim
index 06515aad7..f87828cdc 100644
--- a/koch.nim
+++ b/koch.nim
@@ -559,7 +559,8 @@ proc runCI(cmd: string) =
 
   let batchParam = "--batch:$1" % "NIM_TESTAMENT_BATCH".getEnv("_")
   if getEnv("NIM_TEST_PACKAGES", "0") == "1":
-    execFold("Test selected Nimble packages", "nim r testament/testament $# pcat nimble-packages" % batchParam)
+    nimCompileFold("Compile testament", "testament/testament.nim", options = "-d:release")
+    execFold("Test selected Nimble packages", "testament $# pcat nimble-packages" % batchParam)
   else:
     buildTools()