diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 3be06d77ab1b..8fb5dfd89f81 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@
 [submodule "externals/bertini"]
 	path = externals/bertini
 	url = git@github.com:RobotLocomotion/bertini.git
+	ignore = untracked
 [submodule "externals/sedumi"]
 	path = externals/sedumi
 	url = git@github.com:RobotLocomotion/sedumi.git