diff --git a/gridlock/read.py b/gridlock/read.py
index 600227d..4f39432 100644
--- a/gridlock/read.py
+++ b/gridlock/read.py
@@ -212,6 +212,9 @@ class GridReadMixin(GridPosMixin):
 
         mappable = ax.contour(xcmesh, ycmesh, grid_slice, levels=levels, **contour_args)
 
+        if finalize:
+            pyplot.show()
+
         return fig, ax