diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
index d687237a78..a0a1634b5c 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
@@ -188,7 +188,9 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.prototype = {
         this.div = null;
         this.options = null;
         
-        this.events.destroy();
+        if (this.events) {
+            this.events.destroy();
+        }
         this.events = null;
     },