diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 291738c40..5cc7f0933 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
-          submodules: true
+          submodules: false
+          ssh-key: ${{ secrets.VERIFIC_DEPLOY_KEY }}
+
+      - name: Initialize submodules
+        run: |
+          git submodule update --init --recursive
 
       - name: Build wheel in Alpine container
         run: |