diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
index 530c889a9..8231c2bb8 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/__init__.py
@@ -1609,7 +1609,7 @@ def test(verbosity=1):
 
         # store the old values before overriding
         plugins = _get_extra_test_plugins()
-        plugins.extend([plugin() for plugin in nose.plugins.builtin.plugins])
+        plugins.extend(nose.plugins.builtin.plugins)
 
         manager = PluginManager(plugins=[x() for x in plugins])
         config = nose.config.Config(verbosity=verbosity, plugins=manager)