diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
index 8b0ddf9e54..f976aa4ab4 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.prototype = {
      * the Javascript garbage cleaner can not take care of on its own.
     */
     destroy: function() {
+        if (this.map != null) {
+            this.map.removeLayer(this);
+        }
         this.map = null;
     },