diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt4.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt4.py
index ec69f45e5959..6904799d46fd 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt4.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt4.py
@@ -370,6 +370,7 @@ def idle_draw(*args):
 class MainWindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
     def closeEvent(self, event):
         self.emit(QtCore.SIGNAL('closing()'))
+        QtGui.QMainWindow.closeEvent(self, event)
 
 class FigureManagerQT( FigureManagerBase ):
     """