diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 2e26d677..4aa2d374 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 language: python
 
 # run on Travis container-based infrastructure
+dist: trusty
 sudo: false
 
 git:
@@ -13,11 +14,11 @@ install:
   - pip install psycopg2 --quiet
   - pip install pyyaml --quiet
 
-before_script: 
+before_script:
   - printf "[qwat_test]\nhost=localhost\ndbname=qwat_test\nuser=postgres\n\n[qwat_test_conform]\nhost=localhost\ndbname=qwat_test_conform\nuser=postgres" > ~/.pg_service.conf
   - psql -c 'CREATE DATABASE qwat_test;' -U postgres
 
-script: 
+script:
   - $TRAVIS_BUILD_DIR/init_qwat.sh -p qwat_test -s 21781 -r
   - $TRAVIS_BUILD_DIR/tests/tests.sh --no-init
   - $TRAVIS_BUILD_DIR/update/verify_upgrade_db.sh