diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.js
index 4a795f86ed..35edba7de7 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.js
@@ -179,9 +179,10 @@ OpenLayers.Format.OWSContext.v0_3_1 = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Format.XML, {
     decomposeNestingPath: function(nPath){
         var a = [];
         if (nPath instanceof Array) {
-            while (nPath.length > 0) {
-                a.push(nPath.slice());
-                nPath.pop();
+            var path = nPath.slice();
+            while (path.length > 0) {
+                a.push(path.slice());
+                path.pop();
             }
             a.reverse();
         }
diff --git a/tests/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.html b/tests/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.html
index 6f5b0bb1dc..9c7a879471 100644
--- a/tests/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.html
+++ b/tests/Format/OWSContext/v0_3_1.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     <script type="text/javascript">
 
     function test_read_wmswfs(t) {
-        t.plan(16);
+        t.plan(17);
         // taken from http://www.ogcnetwork.net/schemas/owc/0.3.1/context_nested.xml
         // adapted: add an extra slash (roads/railways) in the Title of the WMS layer to test nesting
         var text = '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>' +
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
         map.zoomToExtent(new OpenLayers.Bounds(-117, 32, -116, 33));
         var owc = parser.write(map, {id: 'ows-context-ex-1-v3', title: 'OWS Context version 0.3.1 showing nested layers'});
         t.xml_eq(text, owc, "Can we roundtrip this nested OWSContext with a WMS and WFS layer?");
+        t.eq(context.layers[1].metadata.nestingPath[0], "Tiger 2005fe major roads/railways", "Nesting path is preserved even after calling write");
     }
 
     function test_write_wmswfs(t) {