diff --git a/moduleroot/.travis.yml.erb b/moduleroot/.travis.yml.erb
index 3ffc2397..076ea890 100644
--- a/moduleroot/.travis.yml.erb
+++ b/moduleroot/.travis.yml.erb
@@ -21,8 +21,11 @@ addons:
     <%- end -%>
   <%- end -%>
 <%- end -%>
+# related to https://github.com/rubygems/rubygems/issues/2123
 before_install:
-  - rm -f Gemfile.lock
+  - 'rm -f Gemfile.lock'
+  - 'gem update --system'
+  - 'gem install bundler'
 script:
   - 'bundle exec rake $CHECK'
 matrix: