diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index d8cea31..a6716c0 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ node_js:
   - "10"
 
 before_install:
-  - if [[ `npm -v` != 6* ]]; then npm i -g npm@6; fi
+
+  # TODO: remove when we stop testing against node 6
+  - if [[ `npm -v` < 6* ]]; then npm i -g npm@6; fi
+
   - npm install -g bower
   - bower --version
diff --git a/appveyor.yml b/appveyor.yml
index 8743f97..9ce2e3f 100644
--- a/appveyor.yml
+++ b/appveyor.yml
@@ -12,8 +12,7 @@ init:
 # Install scripts. (runs after repo cloning)
 install:
   - ps: Install-Product node $env:nodejs_version
-  - npm i -g npm@^3
-  - npm config set spin false
+  - npm i -g npm@^6
   - npm install -g bower
   - npm install