diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_bisq_module.yml b/.github/workflows/build_bisq_module.yml
index 3397f0c3b0..2ae80dbea5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_bisq_module.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_bisq_module.yml
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4.2.0
+        with:
+          submodules: 'true'
 
       - name: Setup Java JDK
         uses: actions/setup-java@v4.5.0
@@ -33,4 +35,4 @@ jobs:
           arguments: build -x test
           build-root-directory: ${{ inputs.build-root-dir }}
           gradle-executable: ./gradlew
-          gradle-version: 8.9
\ No newline at end of file
+          gradle-version: 8.9
diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..70aa7c29e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+[submodule "wallets/bitcoind"]
+	path = wallets/bitcoind
+	url = https://github.com/bisq-network/bitcoind.git