diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js
index 2385138405..95c2ad1191 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/VirtualEarth.js
@@ -75,16 +75,30 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.VirtualEarth.prototype =
 
             // create VEMap, hide nav controls
             this.vemap = new VEMap(this.name);
-            this.vemap.LoadMap();
-            this.vemap.HideDashboard();
-    
-            // catch pans and zooms from VE Map
-            this.vemap.AttachEvent("onendcontinuouspan", 
-                                   this.catchPanZoom.bindAsEventListener(this)); 
-            this.vemap.AttachEvent("onendzoom", 
-                                   this.catchPanZoom.bindAsEventListener(this)); 
         } catch (e) {
+            // do nothing this is to keep from crashing
+            // if the VE library was not loaded. 
+        }
+
+        
+        if (this.vemap == null) {
             this.loadWarningMessage();
+        } else {
+
+
+            try {
+                this.vemap.LoadMap();
+            } catch (e) {
+                // this is to catch a Mozilla bug without falling apart
+            }
+
+            this.vemap.HideDashboard();
+    
+            // catch pans and zooms from VE Map
+            this.vemap.AttachEvent("onendcontinuouspan", 
+                                   this.catchPanZoom.bindAsEventListener(this)); 
+            this.vemap.AttachEvent("onendzoom", 
+                                   this.catchPanZoom.bindAsEventListener(this)); 
         }
  
     },
@@ -142,7 +156,8 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.VirtualEarth.prototype =
     /**
      * @param {event} e
      */
-    catchPanZoom: function(e) { 
+    catchPanZoom: function(e) { 
+        
         var veCenter = this.vemap.GetCenter();
         var veZoom = this.vemap.GetZoomLevel();