diff --git a/Documentation/dev-readme.txt b/Documentation/dev-readme.txt
index a170e07452..92d080b0c7 100644
--- a/Documentation/dev-readme.txt
+++ b/Documentation/dev-readme.txt
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ compile the code.
 Create a new client workspace:
 
 ----
-  git clone --recursive https://gerrit.googlesource.com/gerrit
+  git clone --recurse-submodules https://gerrit.googlesource.com/gerrit
   cd gerrit
 ----
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 844ee48773..a9582b0603 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Gerrit is provided under the Apache License 2.0.
 
 Install [Bazel](https://bazel.build/versions/master/docs/install.html) and run the following:
 
-        git clone --recursive https://gerrit.googlesource.com/gerrit
+        git clone --recurse-submodules https://gerrit.googlesource.com/gerrit
         cd gerrit && bazel build release
 
 ## Install binary packages (Deb/Rpm)