diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt.py
index cbc490ef6cd1..b79698f1d661 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt.py
@@ -602,6 +602,7 @@ def start_main_loop(cls):
                 qt_compat._exec(qapp)
 
     def show(self):
+        self.window._destroying = False
         self.window.show()
         if mpl.rcParams['figure.raise_window']:
             self.window.activateWindow()