diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
index 876eb36bafac..81a80b2f5195 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
@@ -474,18 +474,18 @@ def __init__(self, canvas, num):
 
         self.window._destroying = False
 
+        # add text label to status bar
+        self.statusbar_label = QtWidgets.QLabel()
+        self.window.statusBar().addWidget(self.statusbar_label)
+
         self.toolbar = self._get_toolbar(self.canvas, self.window)
         if self.toolbar is not None:
             self.window.addToolBar(self.toolbar)
-            self.toolbar.message.connect(self._show_message)
+            self.toolbar.message.connect(self.statusbar_label.setText)
             tbs_height = self.toolbar.sizeHint().height()
         else:
             tbs_height = 0
 
-        # add text label to status bar
-        self.statusbar_label = QtWidgets.QLabel()
-        self.window.statusBar().addWidget(self.statusbar_label)
-
         # resize the main window so it will display the canvas with the
         # requested size:
         cs = canvas.sizeHint()
@@ -507,10 +507,6 @@ def notify_axes_change(fig):
         self.canvas.figure.add_axobserver(notify_axes_change)
         self.window.raise_()
 
-    @QtCore.Slot()
-    def _show_message(self, s):
-        self.statusbar_label.setText(s)
-
     def full_screen_toggle(self):
         if self.window.isFullScreen():
             self.window.showNormal()