diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index a976eee..6919795 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -64,12 +64,6 @@ class build_regexes(Command):
 
     def run(self):
         work_path = self.work_path
-        if not os.path.exists(os.path.join(work_path, ".git")):
-            return
-
-        log.info("initializing git submodules")
-        check_output(["git", "submodule", "init"], cwd=work_path)
-        check_output(["git", "submodule", "update"], cwd=work_path)
 
         yaml_src = os.path.join(work_path, "uap-core", "regexes.yaml")
         if not os.path.exists(yaml_src):