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GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages failed because the submodule configuration is invalid

Invalid submodule

GitHub Pages could not build the site because one of the configured Git submodules is invalid, broken, or inaccessible during the build.

Invalid submoduleconfiguration

Observed message

Invalid submodule

Why it happens

  • The repository contains an invalid or broken submodule definition.
  • The submodule URL or commit reference is incorrect or inaccessible.
  • The submodule was removed incorrectly and stale references remain in the repository.

How to fix it

  1. Check .gitmodules and the repository index for stale or incorrect submodule entries.
  2. Verify the submodule URL, path, and referenced commit all exist and are accessible.
  3. Remove or repair broken submodule configuration before triggering another Pages build.

Official reference

GitHub Docs: Troubleshooting Jekyll build errors for GitHub Pages sites

Related errors

Missing docs folderGitHub Pages build failed because the docs folder is missingMissing submoduleGitHub Pages failed because a referenced submodule is missingRelative permalinks configuredGitHub Pages failed because relative permalinks are configuredConfig file errorGitHub Pages failed with a Jekyll config file error

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GitHub Pages invalid submodule: causes and fixes | Error Atlas