diff --git a/fablib.py b/fablib.py
index 68fb55a..f96dfc3 100644
--- a/fablib.py
+++ b/fablib.py
@@ -45,9 +45,8 @@ def git_checkout():
         run('git checkout %(gitbranch)s' % env)
         run('git pull origin %(gitbranch)s' % env)
 
-        if env.gitsubmodules:
-            run('git submodule init')
-            run('git submodule update --recursive')
+        run('git submodule init')
+        run('git submodule update --recursive')
 
 
 def git_tag_stable():