diff --git a/zoetrope/aniplot.py b/zoetrope/aniplot.py
index 46208d9..af63fd6 100644
--- a/zoetrope/aniplot.py
+++ b/zoetrope/aniplot.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class AniPlot:
         self.axes = set()
 
         # handle resizing the window
-        fig = plt.gcf()
+        self.fig = fig = plt.gcf()
         fig.canvas.mpl_connect("draw_event", self.on_resize)