diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index deded194f..ad7241957 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@
 [submodule "dependencies/git/grpc"]
 	path = dependencies/git/grpc
 	url = https://github.com/grpc/grpc
+	branch = v1.49.x
 [submodule "dependencies/git/opentelemetry-proto"]
 	path = dependencies/git/opentelemetry-proto
 	url = https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-proto