diff --git a/doc/python_api/requirements.txt b/doc/python_api/requirements.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..19091a53cda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/python_api/requirements.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Sphinx==1.7.6
+sphinx_rtd_theme==0.4.1
diff --git a/doc/python_api/sphinx_doc_gen.py b/doc/python_api/sphinx_doc_gen.py
index 5e560abecb4..6943a191f5d 100644
--- a/doc/python_api/sphinx_doc_gen.py
+++ b/doc/python_api/sphinx_doc_gen.py
@@ -1633,7 +1633,7 @@ def write_sphinx_conf_py(basepath):
     fw("    'include__bmesh.rst',\n")
     fw("]\n\n")
 
-    fw("html_theme = 'classic'\n")
+    fw("html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'\n")
     # not helpful since the source is generated, adds to upload size.
     fw("html_copy_source = False\n")
     fw("html_show_sphinx = False\n")