diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-umu-debian-12.yml b/.github/workflows/build-umu-debian-12.yml
index 3737b1bb..4e6b4d99 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-umu-debian-12.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-umu-debian-12.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+    - name: Initialize submodules
+      run: git submodule update --init --recursive
+
     - name: Copy debian packaging folder to the repository root
       run: cp -rvf ./packaging/deb/debian ./debian