diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/staging.yml b/.gitea/workflows/staging.yml
index 5a4c9cb..4d18724 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/staging.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/staging.yml
@@ -12,9 +12,13 @@ jobs:
       image: node:22-bullseye
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-        with:
-          ssh-key: ${{ secrets.THEME_DEPLOY_KEY }}
-          submodules: true
+      - name: setup submoule deploy key
+        env:
+          KEY: ${{ secrets.THEME_DEPLOY_KEY }}
+        run: echo $KEY > theme-deploy-key && ssh-add theme-deploy-key
+
+      - name: init submodules
+        run: git submodule update --init
 
       - name: Setup Hugo
         uses: peaceiris/actions-hugo@v3