diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
index 1b0022d63e3b..f4e45ae7fd36 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
@@ -4553,6 +4553,7 @@ def test_large_offset():
     fig.canvas.draw()
 
 
+@cleanup
 def test_bar_color_cycle():
     ccov = mcolors.colorConverter.to_rgb
     fig, ax = plt.subplots()