diff --git a/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh b/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
index 160b6f5a..cd1abb1d 100755
--- a/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
+++ b/.github/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
@@ -15,4 +15,7 @@ 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
 fi