diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 9c4997fa7..6403cc585 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -4,13 +4,28 @@ python:
   - "3.4"
   - "3.5"
   - "3.6"
-env: TEST_SUITE=test-main
+env:
+  matrix:
+    - TEST_SUITE=test-main
+  global:
+    - BOTO_CONFIG=/tmp/nowhere
 matrix:
   include:
   - python: "2.7"
     env: TEST_SUITE=test-py2-legacy-support
   - python: "3.6"
     env: TEST_SUITE=test-static-analysis
+  - python: "3.6"
+    sudo: required
+    env: TEST_SUITE=backend
+    script:
+    - echo $TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_BRANCH
+    - echo $TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_SLUG
+    - echo $TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST
+    - cd
+    - git clone https://github.com/zulip/zulip.git
+    - cd zulip
+    - $TRAVIS_BUILD_DIR/tools/test-backend
     addons:
       postgresql: "9.3"
 install:
diff --git a/tools/test-backend b/tools/test-backend
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..4ee7999ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/test-backend
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+sed -i "s|zulip/python-zulip-api.git@0.3.4|$TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_SLUG/tree/$TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_BRANCH|" requirements/common.txt
+sed -i "s|zulip/python-zulip-api.git@0.3.4|$TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_SLUG/tree/$TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_BRANCH|" requirements/dev_lock.txt
+sed -i "s|zulip/python-zulip-api.git@0.3.4|$TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_SLUG/tree/$TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST_BRANCH|" requirements/prod_lock.txt
+
+./tools/travis/setup-backend
+
+source tools/travis/activate-venv
+echo "Test suite is running under $(python --version)."
+
+set -e
+set -x
+
+./tools/test-api