diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index fba7f1a7b323..8ae8bba82593 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -227,7 +227,8 @@ def switch_backend(newbackend):
         The name of the backend to use.
     """
     global _backend_mod
-
+    # make sure the init is pulled up so we can assign to it later
+    import matplotlib.backends
     close("all")
 
     if newbackend is rcsetup._auto_backend_sentinel: