diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
index 034a9b4db7a0..f4adcd60f6cb 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
@@ -2172,6 +2172,8 @@ def update_background(self, event):
         # `release` can call a draw event even when `ignore` is True.
         if not self.useblit:
             return
+        if self.canvas.is_saving():
+            return  # saving does not use blitting
         # Make sure that widget artists don't get accidentally included in the
         # background, by re-rendering the background if needed (and then
         # re-re-rendering the canvas with the visible widget artists).