diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 38aa660d4..225b48f94 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ stages:
   - test
   - deploy
 
+before_script:
+  - git submodule update --init --recursive
+
 build_template_app:
   stage: build
   image: espressif/esp32-ci-env