diff --git a/rust-toolchain.toml b/rust-toolchain.toml
index ef63ce8..f9eb254 100644
--- a/rust-toolchain.toml
+++ b/rust-toolchain.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,8 @@
 [toolchain]
 channel = "1.91.1"
 components = ["rustfmt", "clippy"]
+# scripts/build-release.sh cross-compiles the release images on the host
+# (mac-arm64 -> x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu). Declaring the target here means a
+# fresh clone - or a toolchain bump - installs it automatically instead of
+# failing the release script on a missing std.
+targets = ["x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu"]