diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index c680288..a8e3085 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -20,12 +20,12 @@ matrix:
 # workaround since CABALVER=1.24 doesn't work yet
 before_install:
  - export PATH=/opt/ghc/$GHCVER/bin:/opt/cabal/$CABALVER/bin:$PATH
+ - travis_retry cabal update
  - cabal install cabal-1.24.0.0
  - export PATH="~/.cabal/bin:$PATH"
 
 install:
  - cabal --version
- - travis_retry cabal update
  - cabal sandbox init
  - cabal install alex happy
  - export PATH="$(pwd)/.cabal-sandbox/bin:$PATH"