diff --git a/script/bootstrap.py b/script/bootstrap.py
index df1a5792070..9087c99dbcd 100755
--- a/script/bootstrap.py
+++ b/script/bootstrap.py
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ def check_root():
 
 
 def update_submodules():
-  execute_stdout(['git', 'submodule', 'sync'])
+  execute_stdout(['git', 'submodule', 'sync', '--recursive'])
   execute_stdout(['git', 'submodule', 'update', '--init', '--recursive'])