diff --git a/debian/gbp.conf b/debian/gbp.conf
index 05e5c7363..465c755c0 100644
--- a/debian/gbp.conf
+++ b/debian/gbp.conf
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ debian-branch = debian/sid
 upstream-tag = v%(version)s
 
 [buildpackage]
+submodules = true
 ignore-new = true
 pbuilder = true
 dist = sid