diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/animation.py b/lib/matplotlib/animation.py
index 8f78688f221b..a44ed865cd43 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/animation.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/animation.py
@@ -771,7 +771,8 @@ def save(self, filename, writer=None, fps=None, dpi=None, codec=None,
         with writer.saving(self._fig, filename, dpi):
             for anim in all_anim:
                 # Clear the initial frame
-                anim._init_draw()
+                if anim._init_func:
+                    anim._init_draw()
             for data in zip(*[a.new_saved_frame_seq()
                               for a in all_anim]):
                 for anim, d in zip(all_anim, data):