diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index b97d33c5f..f79244951 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -554,6 +554,10 @@ test: test-all
 .PHONY: test-clean
 test-clean: test-all-clean
 
+lib/%:
+	git submodule sync $?
+	git submodule update --init $?
+
 git-submodule:
 	git submodule sync --recursive
 	git submodule update --init --recursive