diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 37ae0a64d..e9e019370 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 [submodule "db"]
   path = db
   url = https://github.com/unepwcmc/protectedplanet-db.git
-  branch = master
+  branch = refresh