diff --git a/test-requirements.txt b/test-requirements.txt
index 6e4521cf..97f3a79f 100644
--- a/test-requirements.txt
+++ b/test-requirements.txt
@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
+# The order of packages is significant, because pip processes them in the order
+# of appearance. Changing the order has an impact on the overall integration
+# process, which may cause wedges in the gate later.
 coverage>=3.6
 discover
 fixtures>=0.3.14
 hacking>=0.10.0,<0.11
 mock>=1.0
 python-subunit>=0.0.18
-sphinx>=1.1.2,<1.2
+sphinx>=1.1.2,!=1.2.0,!=1.3b1,<1.3
 six>=1.9.0
 testrepository>=0.0.18
 testresources>=0.2.4
 testscenarios>=0.4
-testtools>=0.9.34
+testtools>=0.9.36,!=1.2.0
 virtualenv