diff --git a/Python/pylifecycle.c b/Python/pylifecycle.c
index 640271f..cad052e 100644
--- a/Python/pylifecycle.c
+++ b/Python/pylifecycle.c
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ int Py_VerboseFlag; /* Needed by import.c */
 int Py_QuietFlag; /* Needed by sysmodule.c */
 int Py_InteractiveFlag; /* Needed by Py_FdIsInteractive() below */
 int Py_InspectFlag; /* Needed to determine whether to exit at SystemExit */
-int Py_OptimizeFlag = 0; /* Needed by compile.c */
+int Py_OptimizeFlag = 2; /* Needed by compile.c */
 int Py_NoSiteFlag; /* Suppress 'import site' */
 int Py_BytesWarningFlag; /* Warn on str(bytes) and str(buffer) */
 int Py_UseClassExceptionsFlag = 1; /* Needed by bltinmodule.c: deprecated */