diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/OverviewMap.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/OverviewMap.js
index 7f60674e9a..d9b01618c8 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Control/OverviewMap.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Control/OverviewMap.js
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ OpenLayers.Control.OverviewMap = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Control, {
         // create the overview map
         var options = OpenLayers.Util.extend(
                         {controls: [], maxResolution: 'auto'}, this.mapOptions);
-        this.ovmap = new OpenLayers.Map(this.mapDiv.id, options);
+        this.ovmap = new OpenLayers.Map(this.mapDiv, options);
         this.ovmap.addLayers(this.layers);
         this.ovmap.zoomToMaxExtent();
         // check extent rectangle border width