diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
index 0f47c4653e1a..96adc3160155 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backend_bases.py
@@ -3220,13 +3220,6 @@ def __init__(self, manager):
         # to write into toolbar message
         self.messagelock = widgets.LockDraw()
 
-        for name, tool in tools.tools:
-            if tool is None:
-                if self.toolbar is not None:
-                    self.toolbar.add_separator(-1)
-            else:
-                self.add_tool(name, tool, None)
-
         self._last_cursor = self._default_cursor
 
     @property
@@ -3329,6 +3322,22 @@ def remove_tool(self, name):
         if self.toolbar:
             self.toolbar._remove_toolitem(name)
 
+    def add_tools(self, tools):
+        """ Add multiple tools to `Navigation`
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        tools : a list of tuples which contains the id of the tool and
+        a either a reference to the tool Tool class itself, or None to
+        insert a spacer.  See :func:`add_tool`.
+        """
+        for name, tool in tools:
+            if tool is None:
+                if self.toolbar is not None:
+                    self.toolbar.add_separator(-1)
+            else:
+                self.add_tool(name, tool, None)
+
     def add_tool(self, name, tool, position=None):
         """Add tool to `Navigation`
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
index dab819fa9193..df222fa2a520 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def fn_name(): return sys._getframe(1).f_code.co_name
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import RendererBase, GraphicsContextBase, \
      FigureManagerBase, FigureCanvasBase, NavigationToolbar2, cursors, TimerBase
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import ShowBase, ToolbarBase, NavigationBase
-from matplotlib.backend_tools import SaveFigureBase, ConfigureSubplotsBase
+from matplotlib.backend_tools import SaveFigureBase, ConfigureSubplotsBase, tools
 
 from matplotlib.cbook import is_string_like, is_writable_file_like
 from matplotlib.colors import colorConverter
@@ -415,6 +415,8 @@ def __init__(self, canvas, num):
 
         self.toolbar = self._get_toolbar()
         self.navigation = self._get_navigation()
+        if matplotlib.rcParams['toolbar'] == 'navigation':
+            self.navigation.add_tools(tools)
 
         # calculate size for window
         w = int (self.canvas.figure.bbox.width)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py
index a17c0f4c8c13..bbaf35670cf0 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import FigureManagerBase, FigureCanvasBase
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import NavigationToolbar2, cursors, TimerBase
 from matplotlib.backend_bases import ShowBase, ToolbarBase, NavigationBase
-from matplotlib.backend_tools import SaveFigureBase, ConfigureSubplotsBase
+from matplotlib.backend_tools import SaveFigureBase, ConfigureSubplotsBase, tools
 from matplotlib._pylab_helpers import Gcf
 
 from matplotlib.figure import Figure
@@ -538,6 +538,8 @@ def __init__(self, canvas, num, window):
 
         self.toolbar = self._get_toolbar()
         self.navigation = self._get_navigation()
+        if matplotlib.rcParams['toolbar'] == 'navigation':
+            self.navigation.add_tools(tools)
 
         if self.toolbar is not None:
             self.toolbar.update()