diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index 3366aebe..0c0ba535 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 #
 # All configuration values have a default; values that are commented out
 # serve to show the default.
-import sphinx_rtd_theme
+
 import sys, os
 
 # If extensions (or modules to document with autodoc) are in another directory,
@@ -93,8 +93,13 @@ pygments_style = 'sphinx'
 
 # The theme to use for HTML and HTML Help pages.  See the documentation for
 # a list of builtin themes.
-html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'
-html_theme_path = [sphinx_rtd_theme.get_html_theme_path()]
+try:
+    import sphinx_rtd_theme
+    html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'
+    html_theme_path = [sphinx_rtd_theme.get_html_theme_path()]
+    pass
+except Exception, e:
+    html_theme = 'default'
 # Theme options are theme-specific and customize the look and feel of a theme
 # further.  For a list of options available for each theme, see the
 # documentation.