diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8e34e42..4352e98 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ For example on Debian GNU/Linux you should be able to get going with
 After the repository clone, you can give a look with
 
 	git submodule init                               # we have a lot of submodules
-	git submodule update --init --recursive --remote
+	git submodule update --init --recursive --remote --depth 1
 	./hacking/devshell.sh                            # start a shell with appropriate environment
 	./hacking/continuous-build.sh                    # to build everything (will take a while)
 	./hacking/runOver9P.sh                           # to start the system in QEMU