diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/MouseDefaults.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/MouseDefaults.js
index 692c0d35b3..c453052272 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/MouseDefaults.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/MouseDefaults.js
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ OpenLayers.Control.MouseDefaults.prototype =
                   (end.lat)
                  ), this.map.getZoom() + 1);
             }    
-            this.map.viewPortDiv.removeChild(document.getElementById("zoomBox"));
+            this.map.viewPortDiv.removeChild(this.zoomBox);
             this.zoomBox = null;
        }     
     },