diff --git a/get_libwallet_api.sh b/get_libwallet_api.sh
index b44f1ab5..f2fa02c3 100755
--- a/get_libwallet_api.sh
+++ b/get_libwallet_api.sh
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ get_tag
 # 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