diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index eba5c841e..66436c171 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('..'))
 
 from borg import __version__ as sw_version
 
+on_rtd = os.environ.get('READTHEDOCS', None) == 'True'
+
 # -- General configuration -----------------------------------------------------
 
 # If your documentation needs a minimal Sphinx version, state it here.
@@ -92,7 +94,11 @@ pygments_style = 'sphinx'
 
 # The theme to use for HTML and HTML Help pages.  See the documentation for
 # a list of builtin themes.
-html_theme = 'local'
+#html_theme = ''
+if not on_rtd:  # only import and set the theme if we're building docs locally
+    import sphinx_rtd_theme
+    html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'
+    html_theme_path = [sphinx_rtd_theme.get_html_theme_path()]
 
 # Theme options are theme-specific and customize the look and feel of a theme
 # further.  For a list of options available for each theme, see the