diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Popup.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Popup.js
index 82b715050b..734df9073a 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Popup.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Popup.js
@@ -90,6 +90,12 @@ OpenLayers.Popup = OpenLayers.Class({
      */
     groupDiv: null,
 
+    /** 
+     * Property: closeDiv
+     * {DOMElement} the optional closer image
+     */
+    closeDiv: null,
+
     /** 
      * Property: padding 
      * {int} the internal padding of the content div.
@@ -157,19 +163,18 @@ OpenLayers.Popup = OpenLayers.Class({
            // close icon
             var closeSize = new OpenLayers.Size(17,17);
             var img = OpenLayers.Util.getImagesLocation() + "close.gif";
-            var closeImg = OpenLayers.Util.createAlphaImageDiv(this.id + "_close", 
-                                                                null, 
-                                                                closeSize, 
-                                                                img);
-            closeImg.style.right = this.padding + "px";
-            closeImg.style.top = this.padding + "px";
-            this.groupDiv.appendChild(closeImg);
+            this.closeDiv = OpenLayers.Util.createAlphaImageDiv(
+                this.id + "_close", null, closeSize, img
+            );
+            this.closeDiv.style.right = this.padding + "px";
+            this.closeDiv.style.top = this.padding + "px";
+            this.groupDiv.appendChild(this.closeDiv);
 
             var closePopup = closeBoxCallback || function(e) {
                 this.hide();
                 OpenLayers.Event.stop(e);
             };
-            OpenLayers.Event.observe(closeImg, "click", 
+            OpenLayers.Event.observe(this.closeDiv, "click", 
                     OpenLayers.Function.bindAsEventListener(closePopup, this));
 
         }