diff --git a/.readthedocs.yaml b/.readthedocs.yaml
index c85b59a1..217a2ebc 100644
--- a/.readthedocs.yaml
+++ b/.readthedocs.yaml
@@ -4,5 +4,6 @@ build:
   tools:
     python: '3.11'
   commands:
-    - pip install sphinx sphinx-rtd-theme pallets_sphinx_themes
+    - pip install -e .  # install the package itself
+    - pip install sphinx sphinx-rtd-theme pallets_sphinx_themes  # install doc dependencies
     - sphinx-build -b dirhtml docs $READTHEDOCS_OUTPUT/html