diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index bc8af4d11..06f00d258 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -83,11 +83,11 @@ checkout:
     - echo $CI_PIPELINE_ID > $HOME/GitLabCI.lock
   script:
     - mkdir -p $DAMASKROOT
-    - git clone -q git@magit1.mpie.de:damask/DAMASK.git $DAMASKROOT
+    - git clone -q --recurse-submodules git@magit1.mpie.de:damask/DAMASK.git $DAMASKROOT
     - cd $DAMASKROOT
     - git checkout $CI_COMMIT_SHA
-    - git clone -q git@magit1.mpie.de:damask/PRIVATE.git
-    - source $DAMASKROOT/DAMASK_env.sh
+    - git submodule update
+    - source DAMASK_env.sh
     - make install
   except:
     - master