diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
index 7301c2c93157..3a6c8d81f986 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/axes/_axes.py
@@ -3048,6 +3048,10 @@ def boxplot(self, x, notch=False, sym='b+', vert=True, whis=1.5,
         else:
             flierprops['sym'] = sym
 
+        # do not show fliers if sym is empty string
+        if sym == '':
+            showfliers = False
+
         # replace medians if necessary:
         if usermedians is not None:
             if (len(np.ravel(usermedians)) != len(bxpstats) or