diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/image.py b/lib/matplotlib/image.py
index c8d6f89a0621..edba79316bb8 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/image.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/image.py
@@ -553,9 +553,11 @@ def _make_image(self, A, in_bbox, out_bbox, clip_bbox, magnification=1.0,
             else:
                 if A.ndim == 2:  # _interpolation_stage == 'rgba'
                     self.norm.autoscale_None(A)
-                    A = self.to_rgba(A)
-                if A.shape[2] == 3:
+                    A = self.to_rgba(A, alpha=self.get_alpha())
+                elif A.shape[2] == 3:
                     A = _rgb_to_rgba(A)
+                    if (alpha := self.get_alpha()) is not None:
+                        A[:, :, 3] = self.get_alpha()
                 alpha = self._get_scalar_alpha()
                 output_alpha = _resample(  # resample alpha channel
                     self, A[..., 3], out_shape, t, alpha=alpha)