diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js
index 6b3216dd7a..dc3c7189ec 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js
@@ -42,11 +42,13 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.VirtualEarth.prototype =
      */
     moveTo:function(bounds,zoomChanged) {
 
-        var olCenter = this.map.getCenter();
-        var olZoom = this.map.getZoom();
-
-        this.vemap.SetCenterAndZoom(new VELatLong(olCenter.lat, olCenter.lon),
-                                    olZoom + 1);
+        if (this.vemap != null) {
+            var olCenter = this.map.getCenter();
+            var olZoom = this.map.getZoom();
+    
+            this.vemap.SetCenterAndZoom(new VELatLong(olCenter.lat, olCenter.lon),
+                                        olZoom + 1);
+        }
     },