diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 9a4fb66d84a0..e5631fd9f0b1 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -74,8 +74,12 @@ matrix:
         - eval `python $TRAVIS_BUILD_DIR/ci/travis/determine_tests_to_run.py`
         - if [ $RAY_CI_PYTHON_AFFECTED != "1" ]; then exit; fi
 
+        # Install a newer version of valgrind, the one that comes with
+        # Ubuntu 16.04 is broken (Illegal instruction)
+        - sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:msulikowski/valgrind
         - sudo apt-get update -qq
         - sudo apt-get install -qq valgrind
+
       install:
         - if [ $RAY_CI_PYTHON_AFFECTED != "1" ]; then exit; fi