diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
index 5ac6986926f6..7ab310a8c941 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
@@ -1811,10 +1811,8 @@ def _press(self, event):
         self.rect.set_visible(self.visible)
         if self.span_stays:
             self.stay_rect.set_visible(False)
-            # really force a draw so that the stay rect is not in
-            # the blit background
-            if self.useblit:
-                self.canvas.draw()
+        if self.useblit:
+            self.canvas.draw()
         xdata, ydata = self._get_data(event)
         if self.direction == 'horizontal':
             self.pressv = xdata