diff --git a/.circleci/config.yml b/.circleci/config.yml
index 385c5971..e6e7b631 100644
--- a/.circleci/config.yml
+++ b/.circleci/config.yml
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@ jobs:
         # TODO(pcw109550) temp hardcode
       - image: us-docker.pkg.dev/oplabs-tools-artifacts/images/ci-builder:v0.46.1
     resource_class: xlarge
-    working_directory: ~/asterisc/rvsol/lib/optimism
     steps:
       - checkout:
-          path: ~/asterisc/rvsol/lib/optimism
+      - run:
+          name: "Fetch submodules for asterisc"
+          command: git submodule update --init --recursive
       - run:
           name: "Check L1 geth version"
           command: ./ops/scripts/geth-version-checker.sh || (echo "geth version is wrong, update ci-builder"; false)