diff --git a/.cci.jenkinsfile b/.cci.jenkinsfile
index c5e5f34ba8..3a701cfb1d 100644
--- a/.cci.jenkinsfile
+++ b/.cci.jenkinsfile
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ cosaPod(cpus: 4, memory: "9Gi") {
     def basearch = shwrapCapture("cosa basearch")
     def mechanical_streams = ['branched', 'rawhide']
 
+    shwrap("git submodule update --init --recursive")
     shwrap("cd config && ci/validate")
 
     shwrap("""