diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 9ee784a8..59ab2231 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -42,9 +42,12 @@ ENV PATH="/root/.cargo/bin:${PATH}"
 
 COPY . .
 
-# Update submodules recursively
-# Force update to handle any local changes in submodules
-RUN git submodule sync --recursive && git submodule update --init --recursive --force
+# Check that submodules are present (they should be initialized before building)
+# Run: git submodule update --init --recursive before building this Docker image
+RUN if [ ! -f "monero-sys/monero/CMakeLists.txt" ]; then \
+        echo "ERROR: Submodules not initialized. Run 'git submodule update --init --recursive' before building Docker image."; \
+        exit 1; \
+    fi
 
 WORKDIR /build/swap