diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index bf5a2d8b3..c306ff60b 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ os:
   - linux
   - linux-ppc64le
 
+matrix:
+  allow_failures:
+    - os: linux-ppc64le
+
 language: bash
 
 services:
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index f93a59a99..04b7792ad 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.9.0-alpha0
+1.9.0-alpha1