diff --git a/ACardEmulator/doc/README.txt b/ACardEmulator/doc/README.txt
index 66edc24..5ff5b0c 100644
--- a/ACardEmulator/doc/README.txt
+++ b/ACardEmulator/doc/README.txt
@@ -134,9 +134,7 @@ submodules::
 
     git clone https://github.com/frankmorgner/vsmartcard.git
     cd vsmartcard
-    # fetch the applets that are in the submodules
-    git submodule init
-    git submodule update
+    git submodule update --init --recursive
 
 We use `Android Studio`_ to build and deploy the application. Use
 :menuselection:`File --> Open` to select :file:`vsmartcard/ACardEmulator`.
diff --git a/ACardEmulator/doc/download.txt b/ACardEmulator/doc/download.txt
index 822ab45..3d58784 100644
--- a/ACardEmulator/doc/download.txt
+++ b/ACardEmulator/doc/download.txt
@@ -10,3 +10,5 @@ You can find the latest release of Android Smart Card Emulator on `Github
 Alternatively, you can clone our git repository::
 
     git clone https://github.com/frankmorgner/vsmartcard.git
+    cd vsmartcard
+    git submodule update --init --recursive
diff --git a/doc/download.txt.in b/doc/download.txt.in
index f5ae827..bbf5db6 100644
--- a/doc/download.txt.in
+++ b/doc/download.txt.in
@@ -12,3 +12,5 @@ still available on `Sourceforge
 Alternatively, you can clone our git repository::
 
     git clone https://github.com/frankmorgner/vsmartcard.git
+    cd vsmartcard
+    git submodule update --init --recursive