diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
index 079e2723686f..5592627b8a72 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_base.py
@@ -406,6 +406,10 @@ class _AxesBase(martist.Artist):
     def _hold(self):
         return True
 
+    @_hold.setter
+    def _hold(self, value):
+        pass
+
     def __str__(self):
         return "{0}({1[0]:g},{1[1]:g};{1[2]:g}x{1[3]:g})".format(
             type(self).__name__, self._position.bounds)