diff --git a/gluon/__init__.py b/gluon/__init__.py
index a338bed1..a3040351 100644
--- a/gluon/__init__.py
+++ b/gluon/__init__.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ except:
         "web2py depends on pydal, which apparently you have not installed.\n" +
         "Probably you cloned the repository using git without '--recursive'" +
         "\nTo fix this, please run (from inside your web2py folder):\n\n" +
-        "    git submodule init && git submodule update\n\n" +
+        "     git submodule update --init --recursive\n\n" +
         "You can also download a complete copy from http://www.web2py.com."
     )