diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/__init__.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/__init__.py
index f4ec9d91f919..62f15254ec3b 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/__init__.py
@@ -47,12 +47,8 @@ def _get_running_interactive_framework():
                 if frame.f_code == tkinter.mainloop.__code__:
                     return "tk"
                 frame = frame.f_back
-    try:
-        from matplotlib.backends import _macosx
-    except ImportError:
-        pass
-    else:
-        if _macosx.event_loop_is_running():
+    if 'matplotlib.backends._macosx' in sys.modules:
+        if sys.modules["matplotlib.backends._macosx"].event_loop_is_running():
             return "macosx"
     if sys.platform.startswith("linux") and not os.environ.get("DISPLAY"):
         return "headless"
diff --git a/src/_macosx.m b/src/_macosx.m
index ce791d1f9d21..4f025268ef8d 100644
--- a/src/_macosx.m
+++ b/src/_macosx.m
@@ -2580,9 +2580,21 @@ static bool verify_framework(void)
     ProcessSerialNumber psn;
     /* These methods are deprecated, but they don't require the app to
        have started  */
+#ifdef COMPILING_FOR_10_6
+         NSApp = [NSApplication sharedApplication];
+         NSApplicationActivationPolicy activationPolicy = [NSApp activationPolicy];
+         switch (activationPolicy) {
+             case NSApplicationActivationPolicyRegular:
+             case NSApplicationActivationPolicyAccessory:
+                 return true;
+             case NSApplicationActivationPolicyProhibited:
+                 break;
+         }
+#else
     if (CGMainDisplayID()!=0
      && GetCurrentProcess(&psn)==noErr
      && SetFrontProcess(&psn)==noErr) return true;
+#endif
     PyErr_SetString(PyExc_ImportError,
         "Python is not installed as a framework. The Mac OS X backend will "
         "not be able to function correctly if Python is not installed as a "