diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index d423c2be..82575f50 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ basepython = python3
 commands = oslopolicy-sample-generator --config-file=etc/oslo-policy-generator/cloudkitty.conf
 
 [testenv:docs]
-basepython = python3
+# TODO: switch back to python3 after removing wsme from the api
+basepython = python2
 commands = python setup.py build_sphinx
 
 [testenv:venv]