diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
index 01c8005cc7eb..3537781334af 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/_backend_tk.py
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ def __init__(self, canvas, window, *, pack_toolbar=True):
                 if tooltip_text is not None:
                     ToolTip.createToolTip(button, tooltip_text)
 
-        self._label_font = tkinter.font.Font(size=10)
+        self._label_font = tkinter.font.Font(root=window, size=10)
 
         # This filler item ensures the toolbar is always at least two text
         # lines high. Otherwise the canvas gets redrawn as the mouse hovers