diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js
index 4d71c466a5..2f8d5a1c7d 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ OpenLayers.Renderer.VML = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Renderer.Elements, {
 
         if (node._geometryClass === "OpenLayers.Geometry.Point") {
             if (style.externalGraphic) {
+                options.isFilled = true;
                 if (style.graphicTitle) {
                     node.title=style.graphicTitle;
                 }