diff --git a/scripts/cmake/git-submodules.cmake b/scripts/cmake/git-submodules.cmake
index be20ded90..07db23f9e 100644
--- a/scripts/cmake/git-submodules.cmake
+++ b/scripts/cmake/git-submodules.cmake
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ if(GIT_FOUND AND EXISTS "${SOF_ROOT_SOURCE_DIRECTORY}/.git")
 "There are submodule changes, check git status and git diff\n${stdout}")
 		endif()
 
-	else()
+	elseif(NOT BUILD_UNIT_TESTS)
 	# Automated initialization for convenience. You can defeat it by
 	# manually initializing rimage and _not_ some other
 	# submodule. In that case you get the warning above.