diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/colors.py b/lib/matplotlib/colors.py
index 2c8f48623b8c..3a6769a07f95 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/colors.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/colors.py
@@ -785,7 +785,7 @@ def __copy__(self):
         cmapobject = cls.__new__(cls)
         cmapobject.__dict__.update(self.__dict__)
         if self._isinit:
-            cmapobject._lut = np.copy(self._lut)
+            cmapobject._lut = self._lut.copy()
         return cmapobject
 
     def __eq__(self, other):