diff --git a/docs/source/conf.py b/docs/source/conf.py
index 0ee371409..7c3392424 100644
--- a/docs/source/conf.py
+++ b/docs/source/conf.py
@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@
     "sphinx_mdinclude",
 ]
 
+doctest_global_setup = """
+from astroquery.gaia import Gaia  # disable gaia crap
+"""
+
+
 intersphinx_mapping = {
     "python": ("https://docs.python.org/3/", None),
     "sphinx": ("https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/", None),