diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index 4f189350..79630685 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -13,12 +13,24 @@
 # serve to show the default.
 import sys
 import os
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
 
 # If extensions (or modules to document with autodoc) are in another directory,
 # add these directories to sys.path here. If the directory is relative to the
 # documentation root, use os.path.abspath to make it absolute, like shown here.
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('..'))
 
+# Mock packages that cannot be installed on rtd
+on_rtd = os.environ.get('READTHEDOCS') == 'True'
+if on_rtd:
+    class Mock(MagicMock):
+        @classmethod
+        def __getattr__(cls, name):
+            return MagicMock()
+
+    MOCK_MODULES = ['ldap']
+    sys.modules.update((mod_name, Mock()) for mod_name in MOCK_MODULES)
+
 # -- General configuration ------------------------------------------------
 
 # If your documentation needs a minimal Sphinx version, state it here.
diff --git a/docs/requirements.txt b/docs/requirements.txt
index 5503d6a7..0362eadf 100644
--- a/docs/requirements.txt
+++ b/docs/requirements.txt
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ tabulate==0.7.7
 pem==17.1.0
 raven[flask]==6.1.0
 jinja2==2.9.6
-pyldap==2.4.37  # required by ldap auth provider
+# pyldap==2.4.37  # cannot be installed on rtd - required by ldap auth provider
 paramiko==2.2.1  # required for lemur_linuxdst plugin
 sphinx
 sphinxcontrib-httpdomain