diff --git a/build/autotools/Makefile.am.release b/build/autotools/Makefile.am.release
index 7c5a3cc61..9f1c12288 100644
--- a/build/autotools/Makefile.am.release
+++ b/build/autotools/Makefile.am.release
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ RELEASE_DOC_URL = http://docs.clutter-project.org/docs/
 
 BUGS_URL = http://bugzilla.gnome.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=clutter
 
-tar_file    = $(distdir).tar.bz2
+tar_file    = $(distdir).tar.xz
 sha256_file = $(distdir).sha256sum
 
 $(sha256_file): $(tar_file)