diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 4d0dfb95489129d8910c4f8bf0baaf80cf491df1..9150ec6a31abab260c6fe6f8a9a0cdacd5bc8b6d 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -33,6 +33,13 @@ except:
     logging.warning("Failed to load %s" % readme_filename)
     readme = ""
 
+try:
+    import pypandoc
+    readme = pypandoc.convert(readme, to='rst', format='md')
+except:
+    logging.warn("Conversion of long_description from MD to RST failed")
+    pass
+
 with open('mhcflurry/__init__.py', 'r') as f:
     version = re.search(
         r'^__version__\s*=\s*[\'"]([^\'"]*)[\'"]',