diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 0071874503..3cd0f49217 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -596,6 +596,7 @@ check_submodule_sync:
   variables:
     GIT_STRATEGY: clone
   before_script: *do_nothing_before
+  retry: 2
   script:
     # check if all submodules are correctly synced to public repostory
     - git submodule update --init --recursive