diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 8523bce..2ab66e4 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ find_package(Python3 QUIET)
 
 # make sure git submodule(s) are checked out
 find_package(Git QUIET)
-if(GIT_FOUND AND EXISTS "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/.git")
+if(LIBBPF_EMBEDDED AND GIT_FOUND AND EXISTS "${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/.git")
 	# Update submodules as needed
 	option(GIT_SUBMODULE "Check submodules during build" ON)
 	if(GIT_SUBMODULE)