diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 1d1dfe2e..0fa5e264 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@ jobs:
       run:
         shell: bash
 
+# by default disable CGO, it's not needed (except on macos)
+    env:
+      CGO_ENABLED: 0
+
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
 
     steps:
@@ -102,6 +106,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build the Agent for macos
         env:
+          CGO_ENABLED: 1
           MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET: 10.15 # minimum supported version for mac
           CGO_CFLAGS: -mmacosx-version-min=10.15
           CGO_LDFLAGS: -mmacosx-version-min=10.15