diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
index 91517920a5..bfc2b581fb 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Icon.js
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ OpenLayers.Icon.prototype = {
 
         this.imageDiv = OpenLayers.Util.createAlphaImageDiv();
     },
+    
+    destroy: function() {
+        this.imageDiv = null;
+    },
 
     /** 
     * @returns A fresh copy of the icon.