diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-external.yml b/.github/workflows/test-external.yml
index a4cc69e0..92d27d64 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-external.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-external.yml
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@v3
         with:
           path: halmos
-          submodules: recursive
+          # we won't be needing tests/lib for this workflow
+          submodules: false
 
       - name: Checkout external repo
         uses: actions/checkout@v3