diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 92b85db1..9ac8583b 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -6,5 +6,12 @@ matrix:
     - os: osx
 
 script:
-  - pip install .
-  - python ./run_tests.py
+  - |
+    if [[ "$TRAVIS_OS_NAME" == "osx" ]]; then
+      pip install .
+      python ./run_tests.py
+    else
+      # linux test requires root to clean up the wheelhouse (docker runs as root)
+      sudo pip install .
+      sudo python ./run_tests.py
+    fi