diff --git a/scripts/release.py b/scripts/release.py
index 49304600..b15164f2 100755
--- a/scripts/release.py
+++ b/scripts/release.py
@@ -31,10 +31,12 @@ def merge_bin():
         sys.exit(1)
 
 def zip_bin(board_type, project_version):
+    if not os.path.exists("releases"):
+        os.makedirs("releases")
     output_path = f"releases/v{project_version}_{board_type}.zip"
     if os.path.exists(output_path):
         os.remove(output_path)
-    with zipfile.ZipFile(output_path, 'w') as zipf:
+    with zipfile.ZipFile(output_path, 'w', compression=zipfile.ZIP_DEFLATED) as zipf:
         zipf.write("build/merged-binary.bin", arcname="merged-binary.bin")
     print(f"zip bin to {output_path} done")