diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index 1b694498e62d..5c78047db80b 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ def pause(interval):
         if figManager is not None:
             canvas = figManager.canvas
             if canvas.figure.stale:
-                canvas.draw()
+                canvas.draw_idle()
             show(block=False)
             canvas.start_event_loop(interval)
             return