diff --git a/doc/examples/transform/plot_swirl.py b/doc/examples/transform/plot_swirl.py
index 117276db..8f38afbc 100644
--- a/doc/examples/transform/plot_swirl.py
+++ b/doc/examples/transform/plot_swirl.py
@@ -74,7 +74,8 @@ from skimage.transform import swirl
 image = data.checkerboard()
 swirled = swirl(image, rotation=0, strength=10, radius=120)
 
-fig, (ax0, ax1) = plt.subplots(1, 2, figsize=(8, 3), sharex=True, sharey=True,
+fig, (ax0, ax1) = plt.subplots(nrows=1, ncols=2, figsize=(8, 3),
+                               sharex=True, sharey=True,
                                subplot_kw={'adjustable':'box-forced'})
 
 ax0.imshow(image, cmap=plt.cm.gray, interpolation='none')