diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js
index 976eb674ef..a960b5f288 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Grid.js
@@ -459,6 +459,9 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Grid = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer.HTTPRequest, {
      * resolution - {Number} The resolution to transition to.
      */
     applyBackBuffer: function(resolution) {
+        if(this.backBufferTimerId !== null) {
+            this.removeBackBuffer();
+        }
         var backBuffer = this.backBuffer;
         if(!backBuffer) {
             backBuffer = this.createBackBuffer();
@@ -534,24 +537,17 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Grid = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer.HTTPRequest, {
      * Remove back buffer from DOM.
      */
     removeBackBuffer: function() {
-        if(this.backBuffer && this.backBuffer.parentNode) {
+        if(this.backBuffer) {
             this.div.removeChild(this.backBuffer);
             this.backBuffer = null;
             this.backBufferResolution = null;
+            if(this.backBufferTimerId !== null) {
+                window.clearTimeout(this.backBufferTimerId);
+                this.backBufferTimerId = null;
+            }
         }
     },
 
-    /**
-     * Method: scheduleBackBufferRemoval
-     */
-    scheduleBackBufferRemoval: function() {
-        if(this.backBufferTimerId !== null) {
-            window.clearTimeout(this.backBufferTimerId);
-        }
-        this.backBufferTimerId = window.setTimeout(
-            OpenLayers.Function.bind(this.removeBackBuffer, this), 2500);
-    },
-
     /**
      * Method: moveByPx
      * Move the layer based on pixel vector.
@@ -955,7 +951,10 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Grid = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer.HTTPRequest, {
                 if(this.backBuffer) {
                     // the removal of the back buffer is delayed to prevent flash
                     // effects due to the animation of tile displaying
-                    this.scheduleBackBufferRemoval();
+                    this.backBufferTimerId = window.setTimeout(
+                        OpenLayers.Function.bind(this.removeBackBuffer, this),
+                        2500
+                    );
                 }
         }
         };