diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index d07ba1f90ff..0159d803519 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ before_install:
   - zsh  --version
   - dpkg -s dash | grep ^Version | awk '{print $2}'
   # install python
-  - pyenv install 2.7.18
+  - [ -d "$(pyenv root)/versions/2.7.18" ] || pyenv install 2.7.18
   - pyenv local 2.7.18 || echo 'pyenv failed'
   - python -V
 install: