diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index 54728fe05d6b..e0ea6cea5de5 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -1365,8 +1365,10 @@ def __init__(self, name, canvas, x, y, guiEvent=None):
         *x*, *y* in figure coords, 0,0 = bottom, left
         """
         Event.__init__(self, name, canvas, guiEvent=guiEvent)
-        self.x = x          # x position - pixels from left of canvas
-        self.y = y          # y position - pixels from right of canvas
+        # x position - pixels from left of canvas
+        self.x = int(x) if x is not None else x
+        # y position - pixels from right of canvas
+        self.y = int(y) if y is not None else y
         self.inaxes = None  # the Axes instance if mouse us over axes
         self.xdata = None   # x coord of mouse in data coords
         self.ydata = None   # y coord of mouse in data coords
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_bases.py
index cd8db6bc08ef..048da404c81f 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_bases.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import FigureCanvasBase
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import RendererBase
+from matplotlib.backend_bases import LocationEvent
 
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import matplotlib.transforms as transforms
@@ -77,3 +78,24 @@ def test_non_gui_warning():
         assert len(rec) == 1
         assert ('Matplotlib is currently using pdf, which is a non-GUI backend'
                 in str(rec[0].message))
+
+
+def test_location_event_position():
+    # LocationEvent should cast its x and y arguments
+    # to int unless it is None
+    fig = plt.figure()
+    canvas = FigureCanvasBase(fig)
+    test_positions = [(42, 24), (None, 42), (None, None),
+                      (200, 100.01), (205.75, 2.0)]
+    for x, y in test_positions:
+        event = LocationEvent("test_event", canvas, x, y)
+        if x is None:
+            assert event.x is None
+        else:
+            assert event.x == int(x)
+            assert isinstance(event.x, int)
+        if y is None:
+            assert event.y is None
+        else:
+            assert event.y == int(y)
+            assert isinstance(event.y, int)