diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
index 7046f2d7c1..07f0e2323d 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ OpenLayers.Icon.prototype = {
     },
     
     destroy: function() {
+        OpenLayers.Event.stopObserving(this.imageDiv.firstChild);
+        this.imageDiv.innerHTML = "";
         this.imageDiv = null;
     },