diff --git a/docs/HACKING.md b/docs/HACKING.md
index 6dc9489124..8abb5e040f 100644
--- a/docs/HACKING.md
+++ b/docs/HACKING.md
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ git correctly (running `meson` will run these commands for you automatically):
 ```shell
 $ git config submodule.recurse true
 $ git config fetch.recurseSubmodules on-demand
+$ git config push.recurseSubmodules no
 ```
 
 When adding new functionality, tests should be added. For shared functionality
diff --git a/tools/git-setup.sh b/tools/git-setup.sh
index 2f7be5ccd6..4b49ab9c45 100755
--- a/tools/git-setup.sh
+++ b/tools/git-setup.sh
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ cd "${MESON_SOURCE_ROOT:?}"
 if [ -e .git ]; then
     git config submodule.recurse true
     git config fetch.recurseSubmodules on-demand
+    git config push.recurseSubmodules no
 fi
 
 if [ ! -f .git/hooks/pre-commit.sample ] || [ -f .git/hooks/pre-commit ]; then