diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js
index 4ede7dcbc8..1c130cd0b9 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Vector.js
@@ -191,8 +191,6 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Vector = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer, {
      * Destroy this layer
      */
     destroy: function() {
-        OpenLayers.Layer.prototype.destroy.apply(this, arguments);  
-
         this.destroyFeatures();
         this.features = null;
         this.selectedFeatures = null;
@@ -202,6 +200,7 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Vector = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer, {
         this.renderer = null;
         this.geometryType = null;
         this.drawn = null;
+        OpenLayers.Layer.prototype.destroy.apply(this, arguments);  
     },
 
     /**