diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/SVG.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/SVG.js
index e65da76a9a..ecaac9e27f 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/SVG.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/SVG.js
@@ -446,7 +446,9 @@ OpenLayers.Renderer.SVG = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Renderer.Elements, {
      * {DOMElement} The specific render engine's root element
      */
     createRenderRoot: function() {
-        return this.nodeFactory(this.container.id + "_svgRoot", "svg");
+        var svg = this.nodeFactory(this.container.id + "_svgRoot", "svg");
+        svg.style.position = "absolute";
+        return svg;
     },
 
     /**