diff --git a/sphinx/themes/epub/layout.html b/sphinx/themes/epub/layout.html
index c2e2e0fd5..437133779 100644
--- a/sphinx/themes/epub/layout.html
+++ b/sphinx/themes/epub/layout.html
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@
#}
{%- extends "basic/layout.html" %}
+{%- block doctype -%}
+
+{%- endblock -%}
{# add only basic navigation links #}
{% block sidebar1 %}{% endblock %}
{% block sidebar2 %}{% endblock %}