diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
index 1adda350b9bf..d1207b1e88b1 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt5.py
@@ -490,6 +490,7 @@ def notify_axes_change(fig):
             if self.toolbar is not None:
                 self.toolbar.update()
         self.canvas.figure.add_axobserver(notify_axes_change)
+        self.window.raise_()
 
     @QtCore.Slot()
     def _show_message(self, s):