diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
index 087c193d48c3..230798bfe090 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
@@ -1626,7 +1626,8 @@ def _gci(self):
         # If there is no image in the current Axes, search for
         # one in a previously created Axes.  Whether this makes
         # sense is debatable, but it is the documented behavior.
-        for ax in reversed(self.axes):
+        axes = self.axes
+        for ax in reversed(axes):
             im = ax._gci()
             if im is not None:
                 return im
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
index 2376c6243929..090330044c43 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/pyplot.py
@@ -1067,8 +1067,7 @@ def gcf() -> Figure:
     manager = _pylab_helpers.Gcf.get_active()
     if manager is not None:
         return manager.canvas.figure
-    else:
-        return figure()
+    return figure()
 
 
 def fignum_exists(num: int | str) -> bool: