diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_macosx.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_macosx.py
index 2ccc17cd3fca..f10c1e2a69c0 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_macosx.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_macosx.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def draw(self):
     def draw_idle(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.invalidate()
 
-    def blit(self, bbox):
+    def blit(self, bbox=None):
         self.invalidate()
 
     def resize(self, width, height):