diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 669c753751..81a96793d3 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -11,12 +11,13 @@ stages:
 rust-nightly:
   stage: build
   image: ubuntu:latest
+  variables:
+    GIT_SUBMODULE_STRATEGY: recursive
   script:
     - apt-get update
-    - apt-get install curl git gcc -y
+    - apt-get install curl gcc -y
     - curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh -s -- -y --default-toolchain nightly
     - source /root/.cargo/env
-    - git submodule update --init --recursive
     - cargo build
     - cargo test --verbose
   allow_failure: false