diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 1f218c81..59a50313 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ matrix:
   - python:  3.6
   - python:  3.7
   - python:  3.8
+  - python:  3.9-dev
   - python:  pypy3.5
 before_install:
   - echo "running under $TRAVIS_PYTHON_VERSION"
diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index 3d7e73be..36c15891 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ ver. 0.10.6-dev (20??/??/??) - development edition
   IPv6-capable now.
 
 ### Fixes
+* python 3.9 compatibility (and Travis CI support)
 * restoring a large number (500+ depending on files ulimit) of current bans when using PyPy fixed
 * manual ban is written to database, so can be restored by restart (gh-2647)
 * `filter.d/common.conf`: avoid substitute of default values in related `lt_*` section, `__prefix_line`
diff --git a/fail2ban/server/jailthread.py b/fail2ban/server/jailthread.py
index d0430367..94f34542 100644
--- a/fail2ban/server/jailthread.py
+++ b/fail2ban/server/jailthread.py
@@ -120,3 +120,6 @@ class JailThread(Thread):
 ## python 2.x replace binding of private __bootstrap method:
 if sys.version_info < (3,): # pragma: 3.x no cover
 	JailThread._Thread__bootstrap = JailThread._JailThread__bootstrap
+## python 3.9, restore isAlive method:
+elif not hasattr(JailThread, 'isAlive'): # pragma: 2.x no cover
+	 JailThread.isAlive = JailThread.is_alive
diff --git a/fail2ban/tests/sockettestcase.py b/fail2ban/tests/sockettestcase.py
index 4e14ece5..8cd22a41 100644
--- a/fail2ban/tests/sockettestcase.py
+++ b/fail2ban/tests/sockettestcase.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class Socket(LogCaptureTestCase):
 	def _stopServerThread(self):
 		serverThread = self.serverThread
 		# wait for end of thread :
-		Utils.wait_for(lambda: not serverThread.isAlive() 
+		Utils.wait_for(lambda: not serverThread.is_alive() 
 			or serverThread.join(Utils.DEFAULT_SLEEP_TIME), unittest.F2B.maxWaitTime(10))
 		self.serverThread = None
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ class Socket(LogCaptureTestCase):
 		self.server.close()
 		# wait for end of thread :
 		self._stopServerThread()
-		self.assertFalse(serverThread.isAlive())
+		self.assertFalse(serverThread.is_alive())
 		# clean :
 		self.server.stop()
 		self.assertFalse(self.server.isActive())
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class Socket(LogCaptureTestCase):
 		self.server.stop()
 		# wait for end of thread :
 		self._stopServerThread()
-		self.assertFalse(serverThread.isAlive())
+		self.assertFalse(serverThread.is_alive())
 		self.assertFalse(self.server.isActive())
 		self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(self.sock_name))
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ class Socket(LogCaptureTestCase):
 		self.server.stop()
 		# wait for end of thread :
 		self._stopServerThread()
-		self.assertFalse(serverThread.isAlive())
+		self.assertFalse(serverThread.is_alive())
 
 	def testLoopErrors(self):
 		# replace poll handler to produce error in loop-cycle:
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ class Socket(LogCaptureTestCase):
 		self.server.stop()
 		# wait for end of thread :
 		self._stopServerThread()
-		self.assertFalse(serverThread.isAlive())
+		self.assertFalse(serverThread.is_alive())
 		self.assertFalse(self.server.isActive())
 		self.assertFalse(os.path.exists(self.sock_name))