diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
index 246ca86ded..6e1229167d 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
@@ -147,9 +147,7 @@ OpenLayers.Control.LayerSwitcher.prototype =
         backdropLabel.layer = layer;
 
         // set event handlers
-        backdropLabelOuter.onclick = this.ignoreEvent.bindAsEventListener(this);
-        backdropLabelOuter.ondblclick = this.ignoreEvent.bindAsEventListener(this);
-        backdropLabelOuter.onmousedown = this.singleClick.bindAsEventListener(this);
+        this._setEventHandlers(backdropLabel);
 
         // add label to div
         backdropLabelOuter.appendChild(backdropLabel);
@@ -167,7 +165,19 @@ OpenLayers.Control.LayerSwitcher.prototype =
         this.setTabActivation(backdropLabel, layer.getVisibility());
     },
 
+    /*
+      @private
+    
+      @param {DOMElement} div
+      @param {Boolean} activate
+    */
+    _setEventHandlers : function(element) {
 
+        // We only want to respond to a mousedown event.
+        element.onclick = this.ignoreEvent.bindAsEventListener(this);
+        element.ondblclick = this.ignoreEvent.bindAsEventListener(this);
+        element.onmousedown = this.singleClick.bindAsEventListener(this);
+    },
 
     /**
     * @private