diff --git a/skimage/viewer/plugins/color_histogram.py b/skimage/viewer/plugins/color_histogram.py
index 4826fc44..99205c41 100644
--- a/skimage/viewer/plugins/color_histogram.py
+++ b/skimage/viewer/plugins/color_histogram.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ class ColorHistogram(PlotPlugin):
     def attach(self, image_viewer):
         super(ColorHistogram, self).attach(image_viewer)
 
-        self.rect_tool = RectangleTool(self.ax, on_release=self.ab_selected)
+        self.rect_tool = RectangleTool(image_viewer,
+                                       on_release=self.ab_selected)
         self._on_new_image(image_viewer.image)
 
     def _on_new_image(self, image):
diff --git a/skimage/viewer/plugins/crop.py b/skimage/viewer/plugins/crop.py
index 61f61034..29ad5866 100644
--- a/skimage/viewer/plugins/crop.py
+++ b/skimage/viewer/plugins/crop.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class Crop(Plugin):
     def attach(self, image_viewer):
         super(Crop, self).attach(image_viewer)
 
-        self.rect_tool = RectangleTool(self.image_viewer.ax,
+        self.rect_tool = RectangleTool(image_viewer,
                                        maxdist=self.maxdist,
                                        on_enter=self.crop)
         self.artists.append(self.rect_tool)
diff --git a/skimage/viewer/plugins/labelplugin.py b/skimage/viewer/plugins/labelplugin.py
index 06ba2dd9..fa2b1940 100644
--- a/skimage/viewer/plugins/labelplugin.py
+++ b/skimage/viewer/plugins/labelplugin.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ class LabelPainter(Plugin):
         super(LabelPainter, self).attach(image_viewer)
 
         image = image_viewer.original_image
-        self.paint_tool = PaintTool(self.image_viewer.ax, image.shape,
+        self.paint_tool = PaintTool(image_viewer, image.shape,
                                     on_enter=self.on_enter)
         self.paint_tool.radius = self.radius
         self.paint_tool.label = self._label_widget.index = 1
diff --git a/skimage/viewer/plugins/lineprofile.py b/skimage/viewer/plugins/lineprofile.py
index 6e5b2c1f..46a0f1d2 100644
--- a/skimage/viewer/plugins/lineprofile.py
+++ b/skimage/viewer/plugins/lineprofile.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class LineProfile(PlotPlugin):
         x = [w / 3, 2 * w / 3]
         y = [h / 2] * 2
 
-        self.line_tool = ThickLineTool(self.image_viewer.ax,
+        self.line_tool = ThickLineTool(self.image_viewer,
                                        maxdist=self.maxdist,
                                        on_move=self.line_changed,
                                        on_change=self.line_changed)
diff --git a/skimage/viewer/plugins/measure.py b/skimage/viewer/plugins/measure.py
index eeaa13b0..7e29a796 100644
--- a/skimage/viewer/plugins/measure.py
+++ b/skimage/viewer/plugins/measure.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class Measure(Plugin):
 
         image = image_viewer.original_image
         h, w = image.shape
-        self.line_tool = LineTool(self.image_viewer.ax,
+        self.line_tool = LineTool(self.image_viewer,
                                   maxdist=self.maxdist,
                                   on_move=self.line_changed)
         self.artists.append(self.line_tool)