diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 32179ee..3da33e1 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ python:
 services:
         - docker
 before_install:
+        - sudo service docker restart ; sleep 10  # https://github.com/travis-ci/travis-ci/issues/4778
         - docker run -d --publish=28015:28015 rethinkdb
 install:
         - pip install . pytest