diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 8657937c..340be117 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 [submodule "layers/meta-balena"]
 	path = layers/meta-balena
 	url = https://github.com/balena-os/meta-balena.git
+	branch = master
 [submodule "balena-yocto-scripts"]
 	path = balena-yocto-scripts
 	url = https://github.com/balena-os/balena-yocto-scripts.git
+	branch = master
 [submodule "contracts"]
 	path = contracts
 	url = https://github.com/balena-io/contracts.git
+	branch = master
 [submodule "layers/meta-ked-bsp"]
 	path = layers/meta-ked-bsp
 	url = https://git.kontron-electronics.de/sw/ked/meta-ked-bsp.git