diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index 71f07fb33c78..70828bc0d355 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -1086,7 +1086,7 @@ def start(self, interval=None):
             if provided.
         """
         if interval is not None:
-            self._set_interval(interval)
+            self.interval = interval
         self._timer_start()
 
     def stop(self):