diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 81298472951..3c5a7351062 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ language: java
 # This environment is continuously updated as described in https://docs.travis-ci.com/user/build-environment-updates/
 dist: trusty
 sudo: required
+group: edge
+
+jdk:
+ - oraclejdk8
+ - oraclejdk9
 
 services:
   - postgresql
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 5ec111f5e01..fd6dde7e25b 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -397,3 +397,18 @@ modernizer {
     // See https://github.com/andrewgaul/modernizer-maven-plugin for more information on modernizer
     failOnViolations = false
 }
+
+
+// enable the use of java.xml.bind
+// source: https://discuss.gradle.org/t/gradle-does-not-honor-add-modules-jvm-argument-in-jdk9/20403/2
+// via: https://stackoverflow.com/a/43574427/873282
+tasks.withType(AbstractCompile) {
+    if (org.gradle.api.JavaVersion.current().isJava9Compatible()) {
+        options.compilerArgs += ["--add-modules", "java.xml.bind"]
+    }
+}
+tasks.withType(Test) {
+    if (org.gradle.api.JavaVersion.current().isJava9Compatible()) {
+        jvmArgs += ["--add-modules", "java.xml.bind"]
+    }
+}