diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js
index e2aaddfa0a..c297b4d472 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js
@@ -563,7 +563,7 @@ OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults = function (to, from) {
      * properties with the for(property in object) syntax.  Explicitly check if
      * the source has its own toString property.
      */
-    if(!fromIsEvt && from.hasOwnProperty
+    if(!fromIsEvt && from && from.hasOwnProperty
        && from.hasOwnProperty('toString') && !to.hasOwnProperty('toString')) {
         to.toString = from.toString;
     }
diff --git a/tests/Util.html b/tests/Util.html
index 624b19df43..56263a1782 100644
--- a/tests/Util.html
+++ b/tests/Util.html
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@
 
     function test_Util_applyDefaults(t) {
     
-        t.plan(11);
+        t.plan(12);
         
         var to = { 
             'a': "abra",
@@ -204,6 +204,15 @@
         
         var ret = OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults(to, from);
         t.eq(ret.rand, from.rand, "works with undefined to");
+
+        //regression test for #1716 -- allow undefined from
+        try {
+            OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults({}, undefined);
+            t.ok(true, "no exception thrown when from is undefined");
+        } catch(err) {
+            t.fail("exception thrown when from is undefined:" + err);
+        }
+
     }
 
     function test_Util_getParameterString(t) {