diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/stackplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/stackplot.py
index 0a8c10d36a40..4f48d0b85b9a 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/stackplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/stackplot.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 from matplotlib.externals import six
 from matplotlib.externals.six.moves import xrange
 
+from cycler import cycler
 import numpy as np
 
 __all__ = ['stackplot']
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ def stackplot(axes, x, *args, **kwargs):
 
     colors = kwargs.pop('colors', None)
     if colors is not None:
-        axes.set_color_cycle(colors)
+        axes.set_prop_cycle(cycler('color', colors))
 
     baseline = kwargs.pop('baseline', 'zero')
     # Assume data passed has not been 'stacked', so stack it here.