diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
index d76b18de1c5b..ca7c3dc96dc5 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
@@ -1593,6 +1593,7 @@ def __init__(self, xy, width, height, angle=0.0,
 
         self.theta1 = theta1
         self.theta2 = theta2
+        self._path = Path.arc(self.theta1, self.theta2)
 
     @artist.allow_rasterization
     def draw(self, renderer):