diff --git a/internal/config.go b/internal/config.go
index a721561e..123f8b91 100644
--- a/internal/config.go
+++ b/internal/config.go
@@ -211,11 +211,7 @@ func (c *RootConfig) Initialize(ctx context.Context) error {
 			return fmt.Errorf("initializing root config: %w", err)
 		}
 		if *pkgConfig.Config.Recursive {
-			if !c.ShouldExcludeSubpkg(pkgName) {
-				recursivePackages = append(recursivePackages, pkgName)
-			} else {
-				pkgLog.Debug().Msg("package was marked for exclusion")
-			}
+			recursivePackages = append(recursivePackages, pkgName)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -230,6 +226,10 @@ func (c *RootConfig) Initialize(ctx context.Context) error {
 		}
 		parentPkgConfig := c.Packages[recursivePackageName]
 		for _, subpkg := range subpkgs {
+			if c.ShouldExcludeSubpkg(subpkg) {
+				pkgLog.Debug().Msg("package was marked for exclusion")
+				continue
+			}
 			var subPkgConfig *PackageConfig
 			if existingSubPkg, exists := c.Packages[subpkg]; exists {
 				subPkgConfig = existingSubPkg