diff --git a/pandas/util/clipboard/clipboards.py b/pandas/util/clipboard/clipboards.py
index 182a685f956e6..01f9ead65294f 100644
--- a/pandas/util/clipboard/clipboards.py
+++ b/pandas/util/clipboard/clipboards.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def init_qt_clipboard():
     # $DISPLAY should exist
     from PyQt4.QtGui import QApplication
 
-    app = QApplication([])
+    app = QApplication.instance() or QApplication([])
 
     def copy_qt(text):
         cb = app.clipboard()