Did some simple tests and unfortunately cannot reproduce with small sample. I have created a default application with QT += core QT -= gui CONFIG += c++11 TARGET = ModeTest CONFIG += console CONFIG -= app_bundle TEMPLATE = app CONFIG(debug, debug|release):TARGET = $$join(TARGET,,,"DebugMode") message("TARGET " $$TARGET) DESTDIR = c:/Source/Utilities SOURCES += main.cpp and #include <QCoreApplication> int main(int argc, char *argv[]) { QCoreApplication a(argc, argv); return a.exec(); } When changing on the left side in creator from debug to release forward and back the name of the exe is always correctly displayed based on chosen on chosen mode. Also the exe can be produced and file sizes are as to be expected. As next I have added a subdirs project which is using the project above. TEMPLATE = subdirs SUBDIRS = ModeTest ModeTest.subdir = ../ModeTest The same. My problem cannot be reproduced easily. Possibly the problem is triggered by other actions in between, but no clue at the moment.