diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-docker-image-and-binaries.yaml b/.github/workflows/build-docker-image-and-binaries.yaml
index ad2eb7fd..662ad196 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-docker-image-and-binaries.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-docker-image-and-binaries.yaml
@@ -46,6 +46,11 @@ jobs:
           ref: ${{ github.event.inputs.tag }}
           submodules: recursive
 
+      - name: Install protoc
+        uses: arduino/setup-protoc@v3
+        with:
+          repo-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
       - name: Install stable toolchain
         uses: actions-rs/toolchain@v1
         with:
diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 3a8c6f88..7fab55f9 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 [submodule "proto"]
 	path = proto
 	url = https://github.com/axelarnetwork/grpc-protobuf.git
+	branch = main
 	fetchRecurseSubmodules = true
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 03f706e4..8bbf72fe 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ FROM rust:1.78.0-bullseye as builder
 
 RUN set -ex \
   && apt-get update \
-  && apt-get install -qq --no-install-recommends ca-certificates openssh-client git make
+  && apt-get install -qq --no-install-recommends ca-certificates openssh-client git make protobuf-compiler
 
 WORKDIR /tofnd