diff --git a/scripts/format-code.sh b/scripts/format-code.sh
index 65f3dac..e1bdaa9 100755
--- a/scripts/format-code.sh
+++ b/scripts/format-code.sh
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 echo "Formatting code under $DIR/"
 
 if [[ -f "setup.cfg" ]]; then
-  pycodestyle --show-source .
+  pycodestyle --show-source --exclude=subprojects .
   rc=$?
   if [[ ${rc} -ne 0 ]]; then
     exit ${rc}