diff --git a/src/Models/Watcher.cs b/src/Models/Watcher.cs
index 06288630..d10d8670 100644
--- a/src/Models/Watcher.cs
+++ b/src/Models/Watcher.cs
@@ -198,7 +198,12 @@ namespace SourceGit.Models
                 (name.StartsWith("worktrees/", StringComparison.Ordinal) && name.EndsWith("/HEAD", StringComparison.Ordinal)))
             {
                 _updateBranch = DateTime.Now.AddSeconds(.5).ToFileTime();
-                _updateSubmodules = DateTime.Now.AddSeconds(1).ToFileTime();
+                
+                lock (_submodules)
+                {
+                    if (_submodules.Count > 0)
+                        _updateSubmodules = DateTime.Now.AddSeconds(1).ToFileTime();
+                }
             }
             else if (name.StartsWith("objects/", StringComparison.Ordinal) || name.Equals("index", StringComparison.Ordinal))
             {