diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WMS.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WMS.js
index 0c82317ef4..ff4e4e31e5 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WMS.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WMS.js
@@ -23,8 +23,15 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.WMS.prototype =
     * @param {hash} params
     */
     initialize: function(name, url, params) {
-        OpenLayers.Layer.Grid.prototype.initialize.apply(this, arguments);
-        OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults(this.params, this.DEFAULT_PARAMS);
+        var newArguments = new Array();
+        if (arguments.length > 0) {
+            newArguments.push(name, url, params);
+        }
+        OpenLayers.Layer.Grid.prototype.initialize.apply(this, newArguments);
+        
+        if (arguments.length > 0) {
+            OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults(this.params, this.DEFAULT_PARAMS);
+        }
     },    
     
     /**