diff --git a/src/scripts/build_ci.sh b/src/scripts/build_ci.sh
index 03d5c0002..2e6a4ddf9 100755
--- a/src/scripts/build_ci.sh
+++ b/src/scripts/build_ci.sh
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ libharfbuzz-dev
 fi
 
 if [ "${CI}" = 1 ]; then
-    git submodule update -i
+    git submodule update -i --recursive
 fi
 
 if [ "${PC}" != "" ]; then