diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
index 9fb7c6658c..0329690a84 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ OpenLayers.Icon.prototype = {
     },
     
     destroy: function() {
+        OpenLayers.Event.stopObservingElement(this.imageDiv.firstChild); 
         this.imageDiv.innerHTML = "";
         this.imageDiv = null;
     },