diff --git a/scripts/travis/configure_dev.sh b/scripts/travis/configure_dev.sh
index 06282f992d..1cf0ebbbb7 100755
--- a/scripts/travis/configure_dev.sh
+++ b/scripts/travis/configure_dev.sh
@@ -56,6 +56,12 @@ if [ "${OS}" = "linux" ]; then
         sudo apt-get update -y
         sudo apt-get -y install sqlite3
     fi
+elif [ "${OS}" = "darwin" ]; then
+    # we don't want to upgrade boost if we already have it, as it will try to update
+    # other components.
+    brew update
+    brew tap homebrew/cask
+    brew pin boost || true
 fi
 
 "${SCRIPTPATH}/../configure_dev.sh"