diff --git a/.github/workflows/docs.yml b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
index 3c6ac0602f..bd05a1cf88 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docs.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docs.yml
@@ -35,7 +35,11 @@ jobs:
         - name: build code
           run: |
             mkdir -p build
-            cmake -DSINGULARITY_BUILD_PYTHON=ON -DSINGULARITY_USE_HDF5=OFF -DSINGULARITY_USE_FORTRAN=OFF -B build .
+            cmake -DSINGULARITY_BUILD_PYTHON=ON \
+                  -DSINGULARITY_USE_SPINER=ON \
+                  -DSINGULARITY_USE_SPINER_WITH_HDF5=OFF \
+                  -DSINGULARITY_FORCE_SUBMODULE_MODE=ON \
+                  -B build .
             cmake --build build
             sudo cmake --install build
         - name: build docs