diff --git a/build_files/utils/make_utils.py b/build_files/utils/make_utils.py
index d02dfdefc30..56754483c74 100755
--- a/build_files/utils/make_utils.py
+++ b/build_files/utils/make_utils.py
@@ -215,7 +215,11 @@ def is_git_submodule_enabled(git_command: str, submodule_dir: Path) -> bool:
     update = check_output(
         (git_command, "config", "--local", _git_submodule_config_key(submodule_dir, "update")),
         exit_on_error=False)
-
+    if update == "":
+        # The repo is not in our local config. Check the default .gitmodules setting.
+        update = check_output(
+            (git_command, "config", "--file", str(gitmodules), _git_submodule_config_key(submodule_dir, "update")),
+            exit_on_error=False)
     return update.lower() != "none"