diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/qt_editor/figureoptions.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/qt_editor/figureoptions.py
index 9d31fa9ced2c..9c57b7c4e968 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/qt_editor/figureoptions.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/qt_editor/figureoptions.py
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ def apply_callback(data):
             raise ValueError("Unexpected field")
 
         title = general.pop(0)
-        axes.set_title(title)
+        axes.title.set_text(title)
         generate_legend = general.pop()
 
         for i, (name, axis) in enumerate(axis_map.items()):