diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js
index ee33c933ea..4214a95c20 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Events.js
@@ -295,10 +295,12 @@ OpenLayers.Event = {
         }
     
         //actually remove the event listener from browser
-        if (element.removeEventListener) {
-            element.removeEventListener(name, observer, useCapture);
-        } else if (element && element.detachEvent) {
-            element.detachEvent('on' + name, observer);
+        if (foundEntry) {
+            if (element.removeEventListener) {
+                element.removeEventListener(name, observer, useCapture);
+            } else if (element && element.detachEvent) {
+                element.detachEvent('on' + name, observer);
+            }
         }
         return foundEntry;
     },