diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index 0eaa65eecb47..b8b60a69a9a4 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -1365,7 +1365,7 @@ def tight_layout(pad=1.08, h_pad=None, w_pad=None, rect=None):
     """
 
     fig = gcf()
-    fig.tight_layout(pad=pad, h_pad=h_pad, w_pad=w_pad, rect=rect)
+    fig.set_tight_layout(dict(pad=pad, h_pad=h_pad, w_pad=w_pad, rect=rect))
 
 
 def box(on=None):