diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index a4cc8924f3c9..0965235e44f5 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -55,6 +55,11 @@
            LinearLocator, LogLocator, AutoLocator, MultipleLocator,\
            MaxNLocator
 
+try:
+    reload
+except NameError:
+    # Python 3
+    from imp import reload
 
 ## Backend detection ##
 def _backend_selection():