diff --git a/pynest/examples/mc_neuron.py b/pynest/examples/mc_neuron.py
index 05c71c20a0..161f0dc81b 100644
--- a/pynest/examples/mc_neuron.py
+++ b/pynest/examples/mc_neuron.py
@@ -41,8 +41,7 @@
 '''
 
 import nest
-import matplotlib
-import pylab as pl
+import pylab
 
 nest.ResetKernel()
 
@@ -178,22 +177,22 @@
 V_m.s,V_m.p,V_m.d state for the membrane potential in soma, proximal and distal dendrites.
 '''
 
-pl.figure()
-pl.subplot(211)
-pl.plot(t, rec['V_m.s'], t, rec['V_m.p'], t, rec['V_m.d'])
-pl.legend(('Soma', 'Proximal dendrite', 'Distal dendrite'),loc='lower right')
-pl.axis([0, 1000, -76, -59])
-pl.ylabel('Membrane potential [mV]')
-pl.title('Responses of iaf_cond_alpha_mc neuron')
+pylab.figure()
+pylab.subplot(211)
+pylab.plot(t, rec['V_m.s'], t, rec['V_m.p'], t, rec['V_m.d'])
+pylab.legend(('Soma', 'Proximal dendrite', 'Distal dendrite'),loc='lower right')
+pylab.axis([0, 1000, -76, -59])
+pylab.ylabel('Membrane potential [mV]')
+pylab.title('Responses of iaf_cond_alpha_mc neuron')
 
 '''
 Plot time traces of the synaptic conductance measured in different compartments. 
 '''
 
-pl.subplot(212)
-pl.plot(t, rec['g_ex.s'], 'b-', t, rec['g_ex.p'], 'g-', t, rec['g_ex.d'], 'r-')
-pl.plot(t, rec['g_in.s'], 'b--', t, rec['g_in.p'], 'g--', t, rec['g_in.d'], 'r--')
-pl.legend(('g_ex.s', 'g_ex.p', 'g_in.d','g_in.s', 'g_in.p', 'g_in.d'))
-pl.axis([350, 700, 0, 1.15])
-pl.xlabel('Time [ms]')
-pl.ylabel('Synaptic conductance [nS]')
+pylab.subplot(212)
+pylab.plot(t, rec['g_ex.s'], 'b-', t, rec['g_ex.p'], 'g-', t, rec['g_ex.d'], 'r-')
+pylab.plot(t, rec['g_in.s'], 'b--', t, rec['g_in.p'], 'g--', t, rec['g_in.d'], 'r--')
+pylab.legend(('g_ex.s', 'g_ex.p', 'g_in.d','g_in.s', 'g_in.p', 'g_in.d'))
+pylab.axis([350, 700, 0, 1.15])
+pylab.xlabel('Time [ms]')
+pylab.ylabel('Synaptic conductance [nS]')
diff --git a/pynest/examples/multimeter_file.py b/pynest/examples/multimeter_file.py
index 96e168892c..19c5da28db 100644
--- a/pynest/examples/multimeter_file.py
+++ b/pynest/examples/multimeter_file.py
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@
 '''
 
 import nest
-import numpy as np
-import pylab as pl
+import numpy
+import pylab
 
 nest.ResetKernel()
 
@@ -101,9 +101,9 @@
                           "label": "my_multimeter"})
 
 s_ex = nest.Create("spike_generator",
-                  params = {"spike_times": np.array([10.0, 20.0, 50.0])})
+                  params = {"spike_times": numpy.array([10.0, 20.0, 50.0])})
 s_in = nest.Create("spike_generator",
-                  params = {"spike_times": np.array([15.0, 25.0, 55.0])})
+                  params = {"spike_times": numpy.array([15.0, 25.0, 55.0])})
 
 '''
 Next, the spike generators are connected to the neuron with `Connect`. Synapse
@@ -137,16 +137,16 @@
 conductance are displayed.
 '''
 
-pl.clf()
+pylab.clf()
 
-pl.subplot(211)
-pl.plot(t, events["V_m"])
-pl.axis([0, 100, -75, -53])
-pl.ylabel("membrane potential (mV)")
+pylab.subplot(211)
+pylab.plot(t, events["V_m"])
+pylab.axis([0, 100, -75, -53])
+pylab.ylabel("membrane potential (mV)")
 
-pl.subplot(212)
-pl.plot(t, events["g_ex"], t, events["g_in"])
-pl.axis([0, 100, 0, 45])
-pl.xlabel("time (ms)")
-pl.ylabel("synaptic conductance (nS)")
-pl.legend(("g_exc", "g_inh"))
+pylab.subplot(212)
+pylab.plot(t, events["g_ex"], t, events["g_in"])
+pylab.axis([0, 100, 0, 45])
+pylab.xlabel("time (ms)")
+pylab.ylabel("synaptic conductance (nS)")
+pylab.legend(("g_exc", "g_inh"))
diff --git a/pynest/examples/twoneurons.py b/pynest/examples/twoneurons.py
index 6905b8f89c..dd43401bec 100644
--- a/pynest/examples/twoneurons.py
+++ b/pynest/examples/twoneurons.py
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with NEST.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-import matplotlib
-# matplotlib.use("macosx")
 import pylab
 
 import nest
diff --git a/pynest/examples/vinit_example.py b/pynest/examples/vinit_example.py
index 6f5a0f7cbe..6770892481 100755
--- a/pynest/examples/vinit_example.py
+++ b/pynest/examples/vinit_example.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 
 import nest
 import numpy
-import pylab as pl
+import pylab
 
 '''
 A loop runs over a range of initial membrane voltages.
@@ -79,12 +79,12 @@
     t = nest.GetStatus(voltmeter,"events")[0]["times"]
     v = nest.GetStatus(voltmeter,"events")[0]["V_m"]
 
-    pl.plot(t, v, label="initial V_m = %.2f mV" % vinit)
+    pylab.plot(t, v, label="initial V_m = %.2f mV" % vinit)
 
 '''
 Set the legend and the labels for the plot outside of the loop.
 '''
 
-pl.legend(loc=4)
-pl.xlabel("time (ms)")
-pl.ylabel("V_m (mV)")
+pylab.legend(loc=4)
+pylab.xlabel("time (ms)")
+pylab.ylabel("V_m (mV)")
diff --git a/pynest/nest/tests/test_connect_helpers.py b/pynest/nest/tests/test_connect_helpers.py
index 5d701d8319..ea6bb22925 100644
--- a/pynest/nest/tests/test_connect_helpers.py
+++ b/pynest/nest/tests/test_connect_helpers.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 import numpy as np
 import scipy.stats
 import nest
-import matplotlib.pylab as plt
 from scipy.stats import truncexpon
 
 try: