diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index a0a6883d7147da5e081559fd9958939a22e2362d..e6744e7230fc587becb2225b5dc069e46a976e02 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 image: alpine
 
+variables:
+  GIT_SUBMODULE_STRATEGY: normal
+
 before_script:
   - apk add git
   - ./fetch-upstream-changes.sh