diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index f25a848..6347f88 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -54,6 +54,10 @@ jobs:
         run: cargo build
         timeout-minutes: 90
 
+      - name: Build the node individually in release mode
+        run: cargo --package minimal-template-node --release
+        timeout-minutes: 90
+
       - name: Run clippy
         run: |
           SKIP_WASM_BUILD=1 cargo clippy --all-targets --locked --workspace --quiet
diff --git a/node/Cargo.toml b/node/Cargo.toml
index 5c5709f..024cf4e 100644
--- a/node/Cargo.toml
+++ b/node/Cargo.toml
@@ -70,4 +70,7 @@ substrate-build-script-utils.workspace = true
 substrate-build-script-utils.default-features = true
 
 [features]
-default = []
+default = ["std"]
+std = [
+	"minimal-template-runtime/std",
+]