diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py
index 8df5f0536916..ced2b69e2686 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py
@@ -562,7 +562,8 @@ def resize(self, width, height=None):
         else:
             self.canvas._tkcanvas.master.geometry("%dx%d" % (width, height))
 
-        self.toolbar.configure(width=width)
+        if self.toolbar is not None:
+            self.toolbar.configure(width=width)
 
     def show(self):
         """