diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 92f129b..8774db7 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ all $(MAKECMDGOALS):
 
 git-submodules:
 	@if [ ! -f releng/meson/meson.py ]; then \
-		git submodule update --init --recursive; \
+		git submodule update --init --recursive --depth 1; \
 	fi
 -include git-submodules
 
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 1c3bcc3..a4d189a 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ cd $(dirname $0)
 srcroot=$(pwd)
 
 if [ ! -f releng/meson/meson.py ]; then
-  git submodule update --init --recursive || exit $?
+  git submodule update --init --recursive --depth 1 || exit $?
 fi
 
 cd - >/dev/null
diff --git a/configure.bat b/configure.bat
index 8543e6d..721c958 100644
--- a/configure.bat
+++ b/configure.bat
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ goto :eof
 call :set_real_dp0
 
 if not exist "%dp0%\releng\meson\meson.py" (
-  pushd "%dp0%" & git submodule update --init --recursive & popd
+  pushd "%dp0%" & git submodule update --init --recursive --depth 1 & popd
   if %errorlevel% neq 0 exit /b %errorlevel%
 )
 
diff --git a/make.bat b/make.bat
index e8c959e..6f9f5c0 100644
--- a/make.bat
+++ b/make.bat
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ goto :eof
 call :set_real_dp0
 
 if not exist "%dp0%\releng\meson\meson.py" (
-  pushd "%dp0%" & git submodule update --init --recursive & popd
+  pushd "%dp0%" & git submodule update --init --recursive --depth 1 & popd
   if %errorlevel% neq 0 exit /b %errorlevel%
 )