diff --git a/roles/git-submodules/tasks/main.yaml b/roles/git-submodules/tasks/main.yaml
index 100de13..65fdc87 100644
--- a/roles/git-submodules/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/roles/git-submodules/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
     done
 
     # 3) Update submodules via calling out to git
-    cd "$(jq -r '.project.src_dir' ~/zuul-env.json)"
+    cd "{{ zuul_work_dir | default(zuul.project.src_dir) }}"
     git submodule update --init --recursive
 
     # 4) Undo changes made in step 1