diff --git a/scripts/pick_barrier.py b/scripts/pick_barrier.py
index 8e5ec54..be63d5a 100644
--- a/scripts/pick_barrier.py
+++ b/scripts/pick_barrier.py
@@ -41,6 +41,17 @@ import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import cv2
+import matplotlib
+# Reason: force an interactive backend so plt.show() actually opens a window.
+# Some environments (depending on matplotlibrc / DISPLAY / installed Qt-vs-Tk
+# bindings) default to Agg, which silently no-ops the picker. Try the common
+# GUI backends in order; fall through to whatever is set if none are available.
+for _backend in ("TkAgg", "QtAgg", "Qt5Agg", "GTK3Agg"):
+    try:
+        matplotlib.use(_backend, force=True)
+        break
+    except (ImportError, ValueError):
+        continue
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 import numpy as np
 import pandas as pd