diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
index 6b958d2cfb..74337ce5aa 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
@@ -18,10 +18,12 @@ OpenLayers.Tile.Image.prototype =
      * @param OpenLayers.Pixel
      */
     setPosition:function(point) {
-        this.img.style.top = point.y+"px";
-        this.img.style.left = point.x+"px";
-        this.img.style.position = "absolute";
-        this.position = point;
+        if (img) {
+            this.img.style.top = point.y+"px";
+            this.img.style.left = point.x+"px";
+            this.img.style.position = "absolute";
+            this.position = point;
+        }
     },
     getPosition: function() {
         return this.position;