diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
index 86fbba121a3a..93397070f395 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
@@ -388,6 +388,11 @@ def ge(self, level):
         return self.vald[self.level] >= self.vald[level]
 
 
+with warnings.catch_warnings():
+    warnings.simplefilter("ignore")
+    verbose = Verbose()
+
+
 def _wrap(fmt, func, level=logging.DEBUG, always=True):
     """
     return a callable function that wraps func and reports its
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_basic.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_basic.py
index ab84e44482f2..e514269a9847 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_basic.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_basic.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 import six
 import sys
 
+import matplotlib
+
 
 def test_simple():
     assert 1 + 1 == 2
@@ -39,3 +41,7 @@ def test_override_builtins():
                 overridden = True
 
     assert not overridden
+
+
+def test_verbose():
+    assert isinstance(matplotlib.verbose, matplotlib.Verbose)