diff --git a/doc/conf.py b/doc/conf.py
index 8277202..5d34ae7 100644
--- a/doc/conf.py
+++ b/doc/conf.py
@@ -121,7 +121,12 @@
 
 # The theme to use for HTML and HTML Help pages.  See the documentation for
 # a list of builtin themes.
-html_theme = 'classic'
+on_rtd = os.environ.get('READTHEDOCS', None) == 'True'
+
+if not on_rtd:  # only import and set the theme if we're building docs locally
+    import sphinx_rtd_theme
+    html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'
+    html_theme_path = [sphinx_rtd_theme.get_html_theme_path()]
 
 # 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