diff --git a/lib/git.zsh b/lib/git.zsh
index f7eccb81..060e822b 100644
--- a/lib/git.zsh
+++ b/lib/git.zsh
@@ -15,7 +15,19 @@ function parse_git_dirty() {
   FLAGS=('--porcelain')
   if [[ "$(command git config --get oh-my-zsh.hide-dirty)" != "1" ]]; then
     if [[ $POST_1_7_2_GIT -gt 0 ]]; then
-      FLAGS+='--ignore-submodules=dirty'
+      case "$GIT_STATUS_IGNORE_SUBMODULES" in
+        "")
+          # if unset: ignore dirty submodules
+          FLAGS+="--ignore-submodules=dirty"
+          ;;
+        "git")
+          # let git decide (this respects per-repo config in .gitmodules)
+          ;;
+        *)
+          # other values are passed to --ignore-submodules
+          FLAGS+="--ignore-submodules=$GIT_STATUS_IGNORE_SUBMODULES"
+          ;;
+      esac
     fi
     if [[ "$DISABLE_UNTRACKED_FILES_DIRTY" == "true" ]]; then
       FLAGS+='--untracked-files=no'