diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
index fd81c7d29e..bd0ba61662 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.prototype = {
 
   // OPTIONS
 
+    /** @type Array */
+    options: null,
+
     /** @type String */
     projection: null,    
         
@@ -47,6 +50,9 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.prototype = {
     initialize: function(name, options) {
         if (arguments.length > 0) {
 
+            //store a copy of the custom options for later cloning
+            this.options = options;
+            
             //add options to layer
             Object.extend(this, options);