diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Strategy/BBOX.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Strategy/BBOX.js
index 3ea357050a..88b4c6e95f 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Strategy/BBOX.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Strategy/BBOX.js
@@ -262,20 +262,24 @@ OpenLayers.Strategy.BBOX = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Strategy, {
      */
     merge: function(resp) {
         this.layer.destroyFeatures();
-        var features = resp.features;
-        if(features && features.length > 0) {
-            var remote = this.layer.projection;
-            var local = this.layer.map.getProjectionObject();
-            if(!local.equals(remote)) {
-                var geom;
-                for(var i=0, len=features.length; i<len; ++i) {
-                    geom = features[i].geometry;
-                    if(geom) {
-                        geom.transform(remote, local);
+        if (resp.success()) {
+            var features = resp.features;
+            if(features && features.length > 0) {
+                var remote = this.layer.projection;
+                var local = this.layer.map.getProjectionObject();
+                if(!local.equals(remote)) {
+                    var geom;
+                    for(var i=0, len=features.length; i<len; ++i) {
+                        geom = features[i].geometry;
+                        if(geom) {
+                            geom.transform(remote, local);
+                        }
                     }
                 }
+                this.layer.addFeatures(features);
             }
-            this.layer.addFeatures(features);
+        } else {
+            this.bounds = null;
         }
         this.response = null;
         this.layer.events.triggerEvent("loadend", {response: resp});