diff --git a/cx_Freeze/hooks/numpy.py b/cx_Freeze/hooks/numpy.py
index 713721338..422d5f540 100644
--- a/cx_Freeze/hooks/numpy.py
+++ b/cx_Freeze/hooks/numpy.py
@@ -87,6 +87,20 @@ def load_numpy_core__add_newdocs(
     finder.include_module("numpy.core._multiarray_tests")
 
 
+def load_numpy_core_overrides(finder: ModuleFinder, module: Module) -> None:
+    """Recompile the numpy.core.overrides module to limit optimization by
+    avoiding removing docstrings, which are required for this module.
+    """
+    code_string = module.file.read_text(encoding="utf_8")
+    module.code = compile(
+        code_string.replace("dispatcher.__doc__", "dispatcher.__doc__ or ''"),
+        os.fspath(module.file),
+        "exec",
+        dont_inherit=True,
+        optimize=min(finder.optimize, 1),
+    )
+
+
 def load_numpy__distributor_init(finder: ModuleFinder, module: Module) -> None:
     """Fix the location of dependent files in Windows and macOS."""
     if IS_LINUX or IS_MINGW:
diff --git a/tests/test_hooks_pandas.py b/tests/test_hooks_pandas.py
index 83902bea3..aa59665b5 100644
--- a/tests/test_hooks_pandas.py
+++ b/tests/test_hooks_pandas.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 @pytest.mark.datafiles(SAMPLES_DIR / "pandas")
 def test_pandas(datafiles: Path) -> None:
     """Test that the pandas/numpy is working correctly."""
-    output = run_command(datafiles)
+    output = run_command(datafiles, "python setup.py build_exe -O2")
     executable = datafiles / BUILD_EXE_DIR / f"test_pandas{SUFFIX}"
     assert executable.is_file()