diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 58c7c2acc81fc52f08fc1e420cbbd57f8f2293e5..98309c1f7ed680f90891a94151da5ffa880a2d0a 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -349,6 +349,7 @@ configure(subprojects.findAll { it.provides }) {
         authentication(userName: nexusUserName, password: nexusPassword)
       }
       signing {
+        required rootProject.hasProperty('release')
         sign configurations.archives
       }
       beforeDeployment { MavenDeployment deploy -> signing.signPom(deploy) }