diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6dee492875..bba7cd0ac6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ Note the ``--recursive`` flag that is needed because CP2K uses git submodules.
 To clone a release version v*x.y*:
 
 ```shell
-git clone -b support/vx.y https://github.com/cp2k/cp2k.git cp2k
+git clone -b support/vx.y --recursive https://github.com/cp2k/cp2k.git cp2k
 ```
 
 For more information on downloading CP2K, see [Downloading CP2K](https://www.cp2k.org/download).