diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index fb523bd74..ff822c6f9 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -224,7 +224,8 @@ matrix:
           packages:  # don't install nginx and apache
             - libaugeas0
       <<: *extended-test-suite
-    - sudo: required
+    - python: "3.8"
+      sudo: required
       env: SNAP=true TOXENV=integration-external,apacheconftest-external-with-pebble
       addons:
         apt: