diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 0195ed30f..8fe839a75 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -435,6 +435,8 @@ macos:
   tags:
     - macos
   needs: []
+  variables:
+    GIT_SUBMODULE_STRATEGY: normal
   before_script:
     - bash .gitlab-ci/show-execution-environment.sh
     - pip3 install --user meson==0.60.1