diff --git a/src/lmptype.h b/src/lmptype.h
index 2be1d2ac38..7e359d2abe 100644
--- a/src/lmptype.h
+++ b/src/lmptype.h
@@ -46,6 +46,13 @@
 #define PRId64 "ld"
 #endif
 
+// favor qsort over mergesort for stable release
+// TODO: to be removed after stable release
+
+#ifndef LMP_QSORT
+#define LMP_QSORT
+#endif
+
 namespace LAMMPS_NS {
 
 // enum used for KOKKOS host/device flags