diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 396ac5a1..39153369 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
+variables:
+  GIT_SUBMODULE_STRATEGY: recursive
 before_script:
-  - ls
-  - ls apps 
+  - git submodule sync --recursive
+  - git submodule update --init --recursive
 
 include:
   - local: 'ci_templates/.cic-template.yml'