diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile b/docker/Dockerfile
index 9966943..d29c4f6 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ RUN pip3 install --upgrade pip
 
 RUN mkdir /root/src
 COPY setup.py /root/src/.
+COPY requirements.txt /root/src/.
 COPY README.md /root/src/.
 WORKDIR /root/src
 RUN pip3 install -e .
diff --git a/rl_coach/rollout_worker.py b/rl_coach/rollout_worker.py
index ef0ff7d..1624041 100644
--- a/rl_coach/rollout_worker.py
+++ b/rl_coach/rollout_worker.py
@@ -1,8 +1,14 @@
 """
-this rollout worker restores a model from disk, evaluates a predefined number of
-episodes, and contributes them to a distributed memory
+this rollout worker:
+
+- restores a model from disk
+- evaluates a predefined number of episodes
+- contributes them to a distributed memory
+- exits
 """
+
 import argparse
+import time
 
 from rl_coach.base_parameters import TaskParameters
 from rl_coach.coach import expand_preset
@@ -10,13 +16,38 @@ from rl_coach.core_types import EnvironmentEpisodes, RunPhase
 from rl_coach.utils import short_dynamic_import
 
 # Q: specify alternative distributed memory, or should this go in the preset?
-# A: preset must define distributed memory to be used. we aren't going to take a non-distributed preset and automatically distribute it.
+# A: preset must define distributed memory to be used. we aren't going to take
+#    a non-distributed preset and automatically distribute it.
+
+def has_checkpoint(checkpoint_dir):
+    """
+    True if a checkpoint is present in checkpoint_dir
+    """
+    return len(os.listdir(checkpoint_dir)) > 0
+
+
+def wait_for_checkpoint(checkpoint_dir, timeout=10):
+    """
+    block until there is a checkpoint in checkpoint_dir
+    """
+    for i in range(timeout):
+        if has_checkpoint(checkpoint_dir):
+            return
+        time.sleep(1)
+
+    # one last time
+    if has_checkpoint(checkpoint_dir):
+        return
+
+    raise ValueError(f'checkpoint never found in {checkpoint_dir}')
 
 
 def rollout_worker(graph_manager, checkpoint_dir):
     """
     restore a checkpoint then perform rollouts using the restored model
     """
+    wait_for_checkpoint(checkpoint_dir)
+
     task_parameters = TaskParameters()
     task_parameters.__dict__['checkpoint_restore_dir'] = checkpoint_dir
     graph_manager.create_graph(task_parameters)
@@ -56,6 +87,5 @@ def main():
         checkpoint_dir=args.checkpoint_dir,
     )
 
-
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     main()