diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk.py
index 7ebca484d7b2..f62d1f6c0b38 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk.py
@@ -613,6 +613,9 @@ def destroy(self, *args):
     def show(self):
         # show the figure window
         self.window.show()
+        # raise the window above others and relase the "above lock"
+        self.window.set_keep_above(True)
+        self.window.set_keep_above(False)
 
     def full_screen_toggle(self):
         self._full_screen_flag = not self._full_screen_flag
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
index d8f2910c7f35..e12ae61f14f1 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
@@ -476,6 +476,7 @@ def destroy(self, *args):
     def show(self):
         # show the figure window
         self.window.show()
+        self.window.present()
 
     def full_screen_toggle (self):
         self._full_screen_flag = not self._full_screen_flag