--- Sphinx-1.5.3/sphinx/application.py.orig	2017-03-05 07:46:30.349734431 +0100
+++ Sphinx-1.5.3/sphinx/application.py	2017-03-05 08:33:32.339702213 +0100
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@
         self.config.pre_init_values(self.warn)
 
         # check the Sphinx version if requested
-        if self.config.needs_sphinx and self.config.needs_sphinx > sphinx.__display_version__:
+        if self.config.needs_sphinx and str(self.config.needs_sphinx) > sphinx.__display_version__:
             raise VersionRequirementError(
                 'This project needs at least Sphinx v%s and therefore cannot '
                 'be built with this version.' % self.config.needs_sphinx)