diff --git a/m4/ax_matlab_batch_options.m4 b/m4/ax_matlab_batch_options.m4
index 46c366bc2..9949a479c 100644
--- a/m4/ax_matlab_batch_options.m4
+++ b/m4/ax_matlab_batch_options.m4
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ AC_REQUIRE([AX_MATLAB_ARCH])
 AC_REQUIRE([AX_MATLAB_VERSION])
 
 AX_COMPARE_VERSION([$MATLAB_VERSION], [ge], [9.6],
-  [MATLAB_BATCH_OPTIONS='-batch'],
+  [MATLAB_BATCH_OPTIONS='-noFigureWindows -batch'],
   [
     if test "${MATLAB_ARCH}" = win32 -o "${MATLAB_ARCH}" = win64; then
       MATLAB_BATCH_OPTIONS='-nosplash -automation -wait -sd "$(CURDIR)" -r'