# Possible bug with sparse checkout and submodules

1 messages from 2026-08-21 to 2026-08-21. Participants: Victor.
Thread: https://gitlist.dev/t/66202

## Victor, 2026-08-21 11:58

Subject: Possible bug with sparse checkout and submodules
Message-ID: <CAH9cVJTQxBsKAA1DRUGj_J6B_14dsX81ZuvN_rETY7a-QvZQLQ@mail.gmail.com>

```
Hi,

git fetch fails with default fetch.recurseSubmodules=on-demand when an
updated submodule is excluded by sparse checkout. I have a
self-contained reproduction at
https://gist.github.com/balakine/c15a268fa0644be6c56225cefc70a7f6

I wasn't able to find any existing reports in the archive.

Victor

```