diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 251a81f94..e06ec4d1b 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ matrix:
       arch: s390x
       before_script:
         - COMMON_FLAGS="DYNAMIC_ARCH=1 TARGET=Z13 NUM_THREADS=32"
+        - apt-get install --only-upgrade binutils
       env:
         # for matrix annotation only
         - TARGET_BOX=IBMZ_LINUX
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@ matrix:
       compiler: clang
       before_script:
         - COMMON_FLAGS="DYNAMIC_ARCH=1 TARGET=Z13 NUM_THREADS=32"
+        - apt-get install --only-upgrade binutils
       env:
         # for matrix annotation only
         - TARGET_BOX=IBMZ_LINUX