diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
index c01167af78..3900fd9f71 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
@@ -608,13 +608,15 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.prototype = {
         if (viewPortPx != null) {
             var size = this.map.getSize();
             var center = this.map.getCenter();
-            var res  = this.map.getResolution();
+            if (center) {
+                var res  = this.map.getResolution();
         
-            var delta_x = viewPortPx.x - (size.w / 2);
-            var delta_y = viewPortPx.y - (size.h / 2);
+                var delta_x = viewPortPx.x - (size.w / 2);
+                var delta_y = viewPortPx.y - (size.h / 2);
             
-            lonlat = new OpenLayers.LonLat(center.lon + delta_x * res ,
-                                         center.lat - delta_y * res); 
+                lonlat = new OpenLayers.LonLat(center.lon + delta_x * res ,
+                                             center.lat - delta_y * res); 
+            } // else { DEBUG STATEMENT }
         }
         return lonlat;
     },