diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index db92346d201e..16ce51cd600e 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -3150,15 +3150,11 @@ def _mouse_event_to_message(event):
                             if data_str:
                                 s = s + '\n' + data_str
                 return s
+        return ""
 
     def mouse_move(self, event):
         self._update_cursor(event)
-
-        s = self._mouse_event_to_message(event)
-        if s is not None:
-            self.set_message(s)
-        else:
-            self.set_message(self.mode)
+        self.set_message(self._mouse_event_to_message(event))
 
     def _zoom_pan_handler(self, event):
         if self.mode == _Mode.PAN:
@@ -3189,7 +3185,6 @@ def pan(self, *args):
             self.canvas.widgetlock(self)
         for a in self.canvas.figure.get_axes():
             a.set_navigate_mode(self.mode._navigate_mode)
-        self.set_message(self.mode)
 
     _PanInfo = namedtuple("_PanInfo", "button axes cid")
 
@@ -3245,7 +3240,6 @@ def zoom(self, *args):
             self.canvas.widgetlock(self)
         for a in self.canvas.figure.get_axes():
             a.set_navigate_mode(self.mode._navigate_mode)
-        self.set_message(self.mode)
 
     _ZoomInfo = namedtuple("_ZoomInfo", "direction start_xy axes cid cbar")
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
index fbe7a157d4db..73425f915093 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_tools.py
@@ -336,8 +336,6 @@ def send_message(self, event):
 
         from matplotlib.backend_bases import NavigationToolbar2
         message = NavigationToolbar2._mouse_event_to_message(event)
-        if message is None:
-            message = ' '
         self.toolmanager.message_event(message, self)