diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py b/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
index 6bd72d2e35e0..18693e193099 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/projections/polar.py
@@ -830,8 +830,10 @@ def __init__(self, *args,
         self._default_theta_offset = theta_offset
         self._default_theta_direction = theta_direction
         self._default_rlabel_position = np.deg2rad(rlabel_position)
-        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        # Set use_sticky_edges before super().__init__ to avoid unnecessary property assignment after initialization.
         self.use_sticky_edges = True
+        # Call super().__init__ before calling set_aspect and clear for proper base initialization.
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         self.set_aspect('equal', adjustable='box', anchor='C')
         self.clear()