diff --git a/.github/workflows/CI.yml b/.github/workflows/CI.yml
index ee2628f..a71a236 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/CI.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/CI.yml
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ jobs:
         name: Update CLM3.5 submodule ${{ steps.model-versions.outputs.VER_CLM35 }}
         working-directory: ${{ env.TSMP2_ROOT }}/models/CLM3.5
         run: |
-          pwd && git submodule update --init --force .
+          pwd && git submodule update --init --checkout --force .
 
       #
       # ParFlow
diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index a20571b..faac9f2 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@
 	path = models/CLM3.5
 	url = https://github.com/HPSCTerrSys/CLM3.5.git
 	branch = tsmp-patches-v0.4
+        update = none
 [submodule "models/cosmo5.01_fresh"]
 	path = models/cosmo5.01_fresh
 	url = https://gitlab.jsc.fz-juelich.de/sdlts/tsmp_components_mirrors/cosmo5.01_fresh.git
 	branch = tsmp-oasis
+        update = none