diff --git a/examples/rust-gcoap/Cargo.toml b/examples/rust-gcoap/Cargo.toml
index e6cf6e2f89..0567dde89c 100644
--- a/examples/rust-gcoap/Cargo.toml
+++ b/examples/rust-gcoap/Cargo.toml
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ crate-type = ["staticlib"]
 # supports no unwinding), but setting it allows builds on native without using
 # the nightly-only lang_items feature.
 panic = "abort"
+# This is a typical set of options that helps Rust binaries stay small
+lto = true
+codegen-units = 1
+opt-level = "s"
 
 [dependencies]
 riot-wrappers = { version = "^0.7.18", features = [ "set_panic_handler", "panic_handler_format", "with_coap_message", "with_coap_handler" ] }