title: TypeError constructor returned NULL while importing pyplot in ssh
body: <p>I am having difficulties importing <code>matplotlib.pyplot</code> when I am using ssh to access my local lab cluster.</p>
  
  <p>Indeed, trying to <code>import matplotlib.pyplot as plt</code> is giving me an error. I have tried to just <code>import matplotlib as mpl</code> and this is fine, so something specifically about importing <code>pyplot</code> is wrong here. The last line of the trace-back says</p>
  
  <p><code>File '/usr/lib64/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/backend_gtk3.py', 
  line 58, in &lt;module&gt;
      cursors.MOVE             : Gdk.Cursor.new(Gdk.CursorType.FLEUR),
  TypeError: constructor returned NULL</code></p>
  
  <p>Can anyone identify the error here? Or, is there a way I can circumvent the error and still use the <code>pyplot</code> tools?</p>
  
  <p>If it makes a difference, I am using Windows 8.</p>