diff --git a/python/Pipfile b/python/Pipfile
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9534830b5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/Pipfile
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+[[source]]
+name = "pypi"
+url = "https://pypi.org/simple"
+verify_ssl = true
+
+[dev-packages]
+
+[packages]
+
+[requires]
+python_version = "3.6"
diff --git a/python/README.rst b/python/README.rst
index 0099646ae2..bf9bbca979 100644
--- a/python/README.rst
+++ b/python/README.rst
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ Files in this directory
 - ``MANIFEST.in`` is read by python setuptools, it specifies additional files
   that should be included by a source distribution.
 - ``PACKAGE.rst`` is used as the README file that is visible on PyPI.org.
+- ``Pipfile`` is used by Pipenv to generate ``Pipfile.lock``.
+- ``Pipfile.lock`` is a set of pinned package dependencies that this package
+  is tested under in our CI suite. It is used by ``make venv-check``.
 - ``README.rst`` you are here!
 - ``VERSION`` contains the PEP-440 compliant version used to describe
   this package; it is referenced by ``setup.cfg``.