diff --git a/src/ol/rectangle.js b/src/ol/rectangle.js
index 3fc8cfbbc2..70a4add53e 100644
--- a/src/ol/rectangle.js
+++ b/src/ol/rectangle.js
@@ -104,6 +104,14 @@ ol.Rectangle.prototype.intersects = function(rectangle) {
 };
 
 
+/**
+ * @return {boolean} Is empty.
+ */
+ol.Rectangle.prototype.isEmpty = function() {
+  return this.maxX < this.minX || this.maxY < this.minY;
+};
+
+
 /**
  * @param {ol.Coordinate} coordinate Coordinate.
  * @return {ol.Coordinate} Coordinate.