diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
index 9f643321c7..a649125cab 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/LayerSwitcher.js
@@ -93,10 +93,16 @@ OpenLayers.Control.LayerSwitcher.prototype =
         this.dataLayersDiv.innerHTML = "";
         this.dataLayerInputs = new Array();
         
+        var containsOverlays = false;
+        
         for( var i = 0; i < this.map.layers.length; i++) {
             var layer = this.map.layers[i];
             var baseLayer = layer.isBaseLayer;
 
+            if (!baseLayer) {
+                containsOverlays = true;
+            }
+
             // only check a baselayer if it is *the* baselayer, check data
             //  layers if they are visible
             var checked = (baseLayer) ? (layer == this.map.baseLayer)
@@ -136,6 +142,9 @@ OpenLayers.Control.LayerSwitcher.prototype =
 
         }
 
+        // if no overlays, dont display the overlay label
+        this.dataLbl.style.display = (containsOverlays) ? "" : "none";        
+
         return this.div;
     },
 
@@ -292,12 +301,12 @@ OpenLayers.Control.LayerSwitcher.prototype =
         this.layersDiv.appendChild(this.baseLayersDiv);
                      
 
-        var dataLbl = document.createElement("div");
-        dataLbl.innerHTML = "<u>Overlays</u>";
-        dataLbl.style.marginTop = "3px";
-        dataLbl.style.marginLeft = "3px";
-        dataLbl.style.marginBottom = "3px";
-        this.layersDiv.appendChild(dataLbl);
+        this.dataLbl = document.createElement("div");
+        this.dataLbl.innerHTML = "<u>Overlays</u>";
+        this.dataLbl.style.marginTop = "3px";
+        this.dataLbl.style.marginLeft = "3px";
+        this.dataLbl.style.marginBottom = "3px";
+        this.layersDiv.appendChild(this.dataLbl);
         
         this.dataLayersDiv = document.createElement("div");
         this.dataLayersDiv.style.paddingLeft = "10px";