diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Image.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Image.js
index 861d2c86b1..cdf37aa0ef 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Image.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Image.js
@@ -68,8 +68,10 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Image.prototype =
      * 
      */
     destroy: function() {
-        this.tile.destroy();
-        this.tile = null;
+        if (this.tile) {
+            this.tile.destroy();
+            this.tile = null;
+        }
         OpenLayers.Layer.prototype.destroy.apply(this, arguments);
     },
     
diff --git a/tests/Layer/test_Image.html b/tests/Layer/test_Image.html
index 8763261f42..a1b38a0985 100644
--- a/tests/Layer/test_Image.html
+++ b/tests/Layer/test_Image.html
@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@
  */
 
 
+    function test_99_Layer_Image_destroy_before_use (t) {
+        t.plan(1);
+        var map = new OpenLayers.Map('map');
+        layer = new OpenLayers.Layer.Image('Test', 'http://earthtrends.wri.org/images/maps/4_m_citylights_lg.gif', new OpenLayers.Bounds(-180, -88.759, 180, 88.759), new OpenLayers.Size(580, 288));
+        map.addLayer(layer);
+        map.removeLayer(layer);
+        layer.destroy();
+        t.ok(true, "destroy() didn't throw an error");
+    }
+
     function test_99_Layer_Image_destroy (t) {
         t.plan( 4 );