diff --git a/examples/pylab_examples/system_monitor.py b/examples/pylab_examples/system_monitor.py
index 90e5aa8de02e..3094babf4183 100644
--- a/examples/pylab_examples/system_monitor.py
+++ b/examples/pylab_examples/system_monitor.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def get_stats():
 
 # turn interactive mode on for dynamic updates.  If you aren't in
 # interactive mode, you'll need to use a GUI event handler/timer.
-plt.ion()
+# plt.ion()
 
 fig, ax = plt.subplots()
 ind = np.arange(1, 4)