diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js
index 143e1dbc5f..25c26f1da4 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/Markers.js
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.Markers.prototype =
      */
     destroy: function() {
         this.clearMarkers();
-        markers = null;
+        this.markers = null;
         OpenLayers.Layer.prototype.destroy.apply(this, arguments);
     },