diff --git a/get_libwallet_api.sh b/get_libwallet_api.sh
index 2228df82..a38b2960 100755
--- a/get_libwallet_api.sh
+++ b/get_libwallet_api.sh
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ popd
 # create local monero branch
 git -C $MONERO_DIR checkout -B $VERSIONTAG
 
-git -C $MONERO_DIR submodule init
-git -C $MONERO_DIR submodule update
-
 # Merge monero PR dependencies
 
 # Workaround for git username requirements
@@ -50,6 +47,9 @@ done
 $(git -C $MONERO_DIR config user.name "$OLD_GIT_USER")
 $(git -C $MONERO_DIR config user.email "$OLD_GIT_EMAIL")
 
+git -C $MONERO_DIR submodule init
+git -C $MONERO_DIR submodule update
+
 # Build libwallet if it doesnt exist
 if [ ! -f $MONERO_DIR/lib/libwallet_merged.a ]; then 
     echo "libwallet_merged.a not found - Building libwallet"