diff --git a/Modules/ExternalProject.cmake b/Modules/ExternalProject.cmake
index 11a24b8e8c..eee1841db0 100644
--- a/Modules/ExternalProject.cmake
+++ b/Modules/ExternalProject.cmake
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ if(error_code)
 endif()
 
 execute_process(
-  COMMAND \"${git_EXECUTABLE}\" submodule init
+  COMMAND \"${git_EXECUTABLE}\" submodule init ${git_submodules}
   WORKING_DIRECTORY \"${work_dir}/${src_name}\"
   RESULT_VARIABLE error_code
   )