diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 35bbd08a..5af41c47 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -1,24 +1,30 @@
 [submodule "balena-yocto-scripts"]
 	path = balena-yocto-scripts
 	url = https://github.com/balena-os/balena-yocto-scripts.git
+	branch = master
 [submodule "layers/meta-balena"]
 	path = layers/meta-balena
 	url = https://github.com/balena-os/meta-balena.git
+	branch = master
 [submodule "layers/meta-rust"]
 	path = layers/meta-rust
 	url = https://github.com/meta-rust/meta-rust.git
 [submodule "layers/poky"]
 	path = layers/poky
 	url = https://github.com/balena-os/poky.git
+	branch = dunfell
 [submodule "layers/meta-digi"]
 	path = layers/meta-digi
 	url = https://github.com/digi-embedded/meta-digi.git
 [submodule "layers/meta-freescale"]
 	path = layers/meta-freescale
 	url = https://github.com/Freescale/meta-freescale.git
+	branch = dunfell
 [submodule "layers/meta-openembedded"]
 	path = layers/meta-openembedded
 	url = https://github.com/openembedded/meta-openembedded.git
+	branch = dunfell
 [submodule "contracts"]
 	path = contracts
 	url = https://github.com/balena-io/contracts.git
+	branch = master