diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Feature.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Feature.js
index 8c65df6ca1..d701664745 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Feature.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Feature.js
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ OpenLayers.Feature.prototype= {
         this.lonlat = null;
         this.data = null;
         if (this.marker != null) {
-            this.marker.destroy();
+            this.destroyMarker(this.marker);
             this.marker = null;
         }
         if (this.popup != null) {
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@ OpenLayers.Feature.prototype= {
         return this.marker;
     },
 
+    destroyMarker: function() {
+        this.marker.destroy();  
+    },
+
     /**
      * 
      */