diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py
index 3f1cb7b172eb..e74985b7ae76 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pgf.py
@@ -50,9 +50,14 @@ def get_fontspec():
         for family, command in zip(families, commands):
             # 1) Forward slashes also work on Windows, so don't mess with
             # backslashes.  2) The dirname needs to include a separator.
-            path = pathlib.Path(fm.findfont(family))
-            latex_fontspec.append(r"\%s{%s}[Path=\detokenize{%s}]" % (
-                command, path.name, path.parent.as_posix() + "/"))
+            try:
+                path = pathlib.Path(
+                    fm.findfont(family, fallback_to_default=False))
+            except ValueError:
+                pass
+            else:
+                latex_fontspec.append(r"\%s{%s}[Path=\detokenize{%s}]" % (
+                    command, path.name, path.parent.as_posix() + "/"))
 
     return "\n".join(latex_fontspec)