diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js
index f1e048d87b..5e4bf3e7dd 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Util.js
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ OpenLayers.Util.createDiv = function(id, px, sz, imgURL, position,
 OpenLayers.Util.createImage = function(id, px, sz, imgURL, position, border,
                                        opacity, delayDisplay) {
 
-    image = document.createElement("img");
+    var image = document.createElement("img");
 
     //set generic properties
     if (!id) {