diff --git a/autoload/vundle/installer.vim b/autoload/vundle/installer.vim
index 38a2436..6814f94 100644
--- a/autoload/vundle/installer.vim
+++ b/autoload/vundle/installer.vim
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ func! s:sync(bang, bundle) abort
     let get_current_sha = 'cd '.shellescape(a:bundle.path()).' && git rev-parse HEAD'
     let initial_sha = s:system(get_current_sha)[0:15]
   else
-    let cmd = 'git clone '.a:bundle.uri.' '.shellescape(a:bundle.path())
+    let cmd = 'git clone --recursive '.a:bundle.uri.' '.shellescape(a:bundle.path())
     let initial_sha = ''
   endif