diff --git a/docs/conf.py b/docs/conf.py
index cd28af13a32..f5a0a239395 100644
--- a/docs/conf.py
+++ b/docs/conf.py
@@ -39,9 +39,14 @@ def get_version():
     'recommonmark',
     'notfound.extension',
     'sphinx_search.extension',
+    'hoverxref.extension',
 ]
 templates_path = ['_templates']
 
+hoverxref_auto_ref = True
+# hardcode version because external versions does not work properly
+hoverxref_version = 'latest'
+
 source_suffix = ['.rst', '.md']
 
 master_doc = 'index'
diff --git a/requirements/local-docs-build.txt b/requirements/local-docs-build.txt
index 67d4ce20f17..ebc097f86e6 100644
--- a/requirements/local-docs-build.txt
+++ b/requirements/local-docs-build.txt
@@ -31,3 +31,4 @@ sphinx-prompt==1.0.0
 sphinx-notfound-page==0.4
 commonmark==0.9.0
 recommonmark==0.6.0
+git+https://github.com/humitos/sphinx-hoverxref@master