diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 810052692..44cccf37a 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ dist:
     - sudo meson install -C mutter/build
     - mkdir -m 700 $XDG_RUNTIME_DIR
   script:
-    - dbus-run-session xvfb-run meson dist -C build
+    - dbus-run-session xvfb-run meson dist -C build --include-subprojects
   rules:
     - if: '$CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == "merge_request_event"'
       changes: