diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 60374d9e11..e473d9054b 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ check_submodule_sync:
   stage: deploy
   image: $CI_DOCKER_REGISTRY/esp32-ci-env
   tags:
-    - build
+    - github_sync
   except:
     - master
     - /^release\/v/
@@ -391,6 +391,7 @@ check_submodule_sync:
   dependencies: []
   variables:
     GIT_STRATEGY: clone
+    retry: 2
   before_script: *do_nothing_before
   script:
     # check if all submodules are correctly synced to public repostory