diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js
index 3ef1e53d8b..ac6151139e 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ OpenLayers.Event = {
         || element.detachEvent))
       name = 'keydown';
 
-    if (element.removeEventListener) {
+    if (element && element.removeEventListener) {
       element.removeEventListener(name, observer, useCapture);
-    } else if (element.detachEvent) {
+    } else if (element && element.detachEvent) {
       element.detachEvent('on' + name, observer);
     }
   }