diff --git a/src/python/replay_merge.py b/src/python/replay_merge.py
index 1a590dd919..729f417527 100755
--- a/src/python/replay_merge.py
+++ b/src/python/replay_merge.py
@@ -292,6 +292,7 @@ def merge_replay(
         os.getcwd(), "src/scripts/merge_tools"
     )
     os.environ["GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL"] = os.getcwd() + "/.gitconfig"
+    os.system("git submodule update --init")
 
     logger.info(f"Replaying merge with index {args.idx}")
     if args.delete_workdir: