diff --git a/ultraplot/axes/base.py b/ultraplot/axes/base.py
index 31e185ab3..11835af93 100644
--- a/ultraplot/axes/base.py
+++ b/ultraplot/axes/base.py
@@ -4510,7 +4510,7 @@ def _apply_inset_colorbar_layout(
         "inset": bounds_inset,
         "frame": bounds_frame,
     }
-    if frame is not None:
+    if frame is not None and hasattr(frame, "set_bounds"):
         frame.set_bounds(*bounds_frame)