I found a usable workaround, but am open to other suggestions!
The project file Libs.pro builds the three subprojects, one per library. I just wrapped everything in a test for debug:
CONFIG(release,debug|release) {
TEMPLATE = subdirs
PROJECT_DIR = $$clean_path($${top_srcdir}/../)
THIRD_DIR = $${PROJECT_DIR}/3rd_party
SUBDIRS = \
$${THIRD_DIR}/A/A_lib.pro \
$${THIRD_DIR}/B/B_lib.pro \
$${THIRD_DIR}/C/C_lib.pro
} else {
error("Only release builds are allowed for these libraries! Please close Qt Creator, delete the 'Libs.pro.user' file and check your kit selection carefully.")
}
Works for me.