diff --git a/project.py b/project.py
index 269fd7e5..9a795272 100644
--- a/project.py
+++ b/project.py
@@ -2958,14 +2958,14 @@ class MetaProject(Project):
           self.revisionExpr = base
           self.revisionId = None
 
-  def MetaBranchSwitch(self):
+  def MetaBranchSwitch(self, submodules=False):
     """ Prepare MetaProject for manifest branch switch
     """
 
     # detach and delete manifest branch, allowing a new
     # branch to take over
     syncbuf = SyncBuffer(self.config, detach_head=True)
-    self.Sync_LocalHalf(syncbuf)
+    self.Sync_LocalHalf(syncbuf, submodules=submodules)
     syncbuf.Finish()
 
     return GitCommand(self,
diff --git a/subcmds/init.py b/subcmds/init.py
index 65dfd1fd..46cdd23a 100644
--- a/subcmds/init.py
+++ b/subcmds/init.py
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ to update the working directory files.
       sys.exit(1)
 
     if opt.manifest_branch:
-      m.MetaBranchSwitch()
+      m.MetaBranchSwitch(submodules=opt.submodules)
 
     syncbuf = SyncBuffer(m.config)
     m.Sync_LocalHalf(syncbuf, submodules=opt.submodules)