diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/Attribution.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/Attribution.js
index fc8bc1fc96..fa686ac327 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/Attribution.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/Attribution.js
@@ -66,13 +66,15 @@ OpenLayers.Control.Attribution =
      */
     updateAttribution: function() {
         var attributions = [];
-        for(var i=0; i < this.map.layers.length; i++) {
-            var layer = this.map.layers[i];
-            if (layer.attribution && layer.getVisibility()) {
-                attributions.push( layer.attribution );
-            }
-        }  
-        this.div.innerHTML = attributions.join(this.separator);
+        if (this.map && this.map.layers) {
+            for(var i=0; i < this.map.layers.length; i++) {
+                var layer = this.map.layers[i];
+                if (layer.attribution && layer.getVisibility()) {
+                    attributions.push( layer.attribution );
+                }
+            }  
+            this.div.innerHTML = attributions.join(this.separator);
+        }
     },
 
     /** @final @type String */