diff --git a/.goreleaser.yml b/.goreleaser.yml
index b462b295f13..dbe994973d5 100644
--- a/.goreleaser.yml
+++ b/.goreleaser.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ builds:
     ldflags:
       - -w -X 'github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2/server.gitCommit={{.ShortCommit}}' -X 'github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2/server.serverVersion={{.Tag}}'
     env:
+      # This is the toolchain version we use for releases. To override, set the env var, e.g.:
+      # GORELEASER_TOOLCHAIN="go1.22.8" TARGET='linux_amd64' goreleaser build --snapshot --clean --single-target
+      - GOTOOLCHAIN={{ envOrDefault "GORELEASER_TOOLCHAIN" "go1.24.0" }}
       - GO111MODULE=on
       - CGO_ENABLED=0
     goos:
diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 2260ae4cc22..7c2be47cf44 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ language: go
 go:
   # This should be quoted or use .x, but should not be unquoted.
   # Remember that a YAML bare float drops trailing zeroes.
+  # These toolchain versions define the test environment.
+  # When updating, also update the GOTOOLCHAIN value in .goreleaser.yml.
   - "1.24.0"
   - "1.23.6"