diff --git a/private/open_figure.m b/private/open_figure.m
index f26fea1a2b..998eefa29e 100644
--- a/private/open_figure.m
+++ b/private/open_figure.m
@@ -42,9 +42,14 @@
     % this will open a new one if there is no figure yet
     h = clf;
 
+  case 'gca'
+    % use the current axes but do not clear them
+    % this will open a new figure if there is no figure yet
+    h = gca;
+
   case 'gcf'
     % use the current figure but do not clear it
-    % this will open a new one if there is no figure yet
+    % this will open a new figure if there is no figure yet
     h = gcf;
   
   otherwise