static int clone_submodule(const char *path, const char *gitdir, const char *url,
                           const char *depth, const char *reference, int quiet)
 {
-       struct child_process cp;
-       child_process_init(&cp);
+       struct child_process cp = CHILD_PROCESS_INIT;
 
        argv_array_push(&cp.args, "clone");
        argv_array_push(&cp.args, "--no-checkout");
        if (index < suc->failed_clones_nr) {
                int *p;
                ce = suc->failed_clones[index];
-               if (!prepare_to_clone_next_submodule(ce, child, suc, err))
-                       die("BUG: ce was a submodule before?");
+               if (!prepare_to_clone_next_submodule(ce, child, suc, err)) {
+                       suc->current ++;
+                       strbuf_addf(err, "BUG: submodule considered for cloning,"
+                                   "doesn't need cloning any more?\n");
+                       return 0;
+               }
                p = xmalloc(sizeof(*p));
                *p = suc->current;
                *idx_task_cb = p;