diff --git a/pkgs/applications/science/robotics/qgroundcontrol/default.nix b/pkgs/applications/science/robotics/qgroundcontrol/default.nix
index 47a6ee44952..0d7e3ca55f1 100644
--- a/pkgs/applications/science/robotics/qgroundcontrol/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/applications/science/robotics/qgroundcontrol/default.nix
@@ -28,12 +28,6 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
 
   patches = [ ./0001-fix-gcc-cmath-namespace-issues.patch ];
 
-  preConfigure = ''
-    git submodule init
-    git submodule update
-
-  '';
-
   configurePhase = ''
     mkdir build
     pushd build