diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index d6f5e962e..88cf2535c 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ 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: