diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js
index cd26067350..f670e22566 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js
@@ -28,12 +28,17 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.WFS.prototype =
     */
     initialize: function(name, url, params, featureClass) {
         this.featureClass = featureClass;
-
-        var newArguments = new Array(name, url, params);
+        
+        var newArguments = new Array();
+        if (arguments.length > 0) {
+            newArguments.push(name, url, params);
+        }
         OpenLayers.Layer.Grid.prototype.initialize.apply(this, newArguments);
         OpenLayers.Layer.Markers.prototype.initialize.apply(this, newArguments);
-
-        OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults(this.params, this.DEFAULT_PARAMS);
+    
+        if (arguments.length > 0) {
+            OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults(this.params, this.DEFAULT_PARAMS);
+        }
     },    
     
     /**