diff --git a/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh b/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
index cd1abb1d..1f23c408 100755
--- a/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
+++ b/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
@@ -16,6 +16,6 @@ if [ ! -d "$HOME/$1-install" ]; then
     # init all submodules including the tools
     CHIPYARD_DIR="$LOCAL_CHIPYARD_DIR" NPROC=$CI_MAKE_NPROC $LOCAL_CHIPYARD_DIR/scripts/build-toolchains.sh $1
 
-    # de-init the toolchain area to save on space
-    git submodule deinit $LOCAL_CHIPYARD_DIR/toolchains/$1
+    # de-init the toolchain area to save on space (forced to ignore local changes)
+    git submodule deinit --force $LOCAL_CHIPYARD_DIR/toolchains/$1
 fi