diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/blocking_input.py b/lib/matplotlib/blocking_input.py
index d7035221e8eb..fcafac5f3bbc 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/blocking_input.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/blocking_input.py
@@ -104,8 +104,9 @@ def __call__(self, n=1, timeout=30):
         self.events = []
         self.callbacks = []
 
-        # Ensure that the figure is shown
-        self.fig.show()
+        if hasattr(self.fig, "manager"):
+            # Ensure that the figure is shown, if we are managing it.
+            self.fig.show()
 
         # connect the events to the on_event function call
         for n in self.eventslist: