<!--IssueSummary start--> <details> <summary> Everyone can contribute. [Help move this issue forward](https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/developer-relations/contributor-success/community-contributors-workflows/#contributor-links) while earning points, leveling up and collecting rewards. </summary> - [Close this issue](https://contributors.gitlab.com/manage-issue?action=close&projectId=278964&issueIid=391756) </details> <!--IssueSummary end--> ### Summary Intermittently, checking out the submodules for our project in one of our CI jobs fails, with the following [output](https://gitlab.gnome.org/pwithnall/glib/-/jobs/2586460): ``` Updating/initializing submodules... Submodule 'subprojects/gvdb' (https://gitlab-ci-token:[MASKED]@gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gvdb.git) registered for path 'subprojects/gvdb' Synchronizing submodule url for 'subprojects/gvdb' fatal: not a git repository: subprojects/gvdb/../../.git/modules/subprojects/gvdb ``` Re-running that CI job succeeds. The problem happens maybe 1 in 10 CI runs, very roughly. Relevant configuration: * Project: https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/glib * [`.gitmodules`](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/glib/-/blob/main/.gitmodules) - In particular, `url = ../../GNOME/gvdb.git` and `shallow = true` - Which points to this repository: https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gvdb * [`.gitlab-ci.yml`](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/glib/-/blob/40fc22f81ff2d269818d66817f471126ccc9f1cc/.gitlab-ci.yml#L75-84) - In particular, `GIT_SUBMODULE_STRATEGY: "normal"` for this job * This fork of the project had the git depth unset in the the CI/CD settings, but the main project has it set to `1`; I don’t think that makes a difference Output from a [successful submodule fetch](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/glib/-/jobs/2581495): ``` Updating/initializing submodules with git depth set to 1... Submodule 'subprojects/gvdb' (https://gitlab-ci-token:[MASKED]@gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gvdb.git) registered for path 'subprojects/gvdb' Synchronizing submodule url for 'subprojects/gvdb' Cloning into '/builds/GNOME/glib/subprojects/gvdb'... Submodule path 'subprojects/gvdb': checked out '0854af0fdb6d527a8d1999835ac2c5059976c210' Entering 'subprojects/gvdb' Entering 'subprojects/gvdb' ``` ### Steps to reproduce Since it’s an intermittent issue and I don’t fully understand what’s causing it, I’m afraid I can’t give reproducer instructions, sorry. ### Example Project https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/glib/ Unfortunately it’s not on gitlab.com. ### What is the current *bug* behavior? Submodule fetch intermittently fails. ### What is the expected *correct* behavior? Submodule fetch works reliably. #### Results of GitLab environment info I don’t have immediate access to this, but can get specific information off our sysadmins if that would be helpful — just say what you need. #### Results of GitLab application Check Same