diff --git a/ci/travis/format.sh b/ci/travis/format.sh
index 6cddf4d55..4102b5c5f 100755
--- a/ci/travis/format.sh
+++ b/ci/travis/format.sh
@@ -144,7 +144,10 @@ fi
 # Ensure import ordering
 # Make sure that for every import psutil; import setpproctitle
 # There's a import ray above it.
-python ci/travis/check_import_order.py . -s ci -s python/ray/pyarrow_files -s python/ray/thirdparty_files -s python/build -s lib
+
+PYTHON_EXECUTABLE=${PYTHON_EXECUTABLE:-python}
+
+$PYTHON_EXECUTABLE ci/travis/check_import_order.py . -s ci -s python/ray/pyarrow_files -s python/ray/thirdparty_files -s python/build -s lib
 
 if ! git diff --quiet &>/dev/null; then
     echo 'Reformatted changed files. Please review and stage the changes.'