diff --git a/dash-pipeline/Makefile b/dash-pipeline/Makefile
index 04978f20f..4a155e54c 100644
--- a/dash-pipeline/Makefile
+++ b/dash-pipeline/Makefile
@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ DOCKER_SAI_CHALLENGER_CLIENT_BLDR_IMG = $(DOCKER_SAI_CHALLENGER_CLIENT_BLDR_IMG_
 
 docker-saichallenger-client-bldr:
 	{ [ x$(ENABLE_DOCKER_PULL) == xy ] && docker pull $(DOCKER_SAI_CHALLENGER_CLIENT_BLDR_IMG); } || \
-		{ pushd $(SAI_CHALLENGER_PATH) && ./build.sh -i client && popd; \
+		{ pushd $(SAI_CHALLENGER_PATH) && git submodule update --init && ./build.sh -i client && popd; \
 		docker build \
 			-f dockerfiles/Dockerfile.saichallenger-client-bldr \
 			-t $(DOCKER_SAI_CHALLENGER_CLIENT_BLDR_IMG) \