diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Marker.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Marker.js
index 1de896948b..87be0f4000 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Marker.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Marker.js
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ OpenLayers.Marker.prototype = {
         this.lonlat = lonlat;
         this.data = data;
 
-        this.image = OpenLayers.Util.createImage(null,
+        this.image = OpenLayers.Util.createAlphaImageDiv(null,
                                                  null,
                                                  this.icon.size,
                                                  this.icon.url,