diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index 2b6f5c72b484..ceb652c73402 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -912,7 +912,7 @@ def get_joinstyle(self):
         """
         return self._joinstyle
 
-    def get_linestyle(self, style):
+    def get_linestyle(self):
         """
         Return the linestyle: one of ('solid', 'dashed', 'dashdot',
         'dotted').