diff --git a/examples/images_contours_and_fields/barcode_demo.py b/examples/images_contours_and_fields/barcode_demo.py
index a016e6501064..9c71084ca492 100644
--- a/examples/images_contours_and_fields/barcode_demo.py
+++ b/examples/images_contours_and_fields/barcode_demo.py
@@ -14,17 +14,18 @@
 # the bar
 x = np.random.rand(500) > 0.7
 
-axprops = dict(xticks=[], yticks=[])
 barprops = dict(aspect='auto', cmap='binary', interpolation='nearest')
 
 fig = plt.figure()
 
 # a vertical barcode
-ax1 = fig.add_axes([0.1, 0.3, 0.1, 0.6], **axprops)
+ax1 = fig.add_axes([0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 0.8])
+ax1.set_axis_off()
 ax1.imshow(x.reshape((-1, 1)), **barprops)
 
 # a horizontal barcode
-ax2 = fig.add_axes([0.3, 0.1, 0.6, 0.1], **axprops)
+ax2 = fig.add_axes([0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.2])
+ax2.set_axis_off()
 ax2.imshow(x.reshape((1, -1)), **barprops)
 
 plt.show()