diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Map.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Map.js
index aac3b82660..2f86218672 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Map.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Map.js
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ OpenLayers.Map.prototype = {
         "mouseout", "mousemove", "dragstart", "drag", "dragend",
         "changebaselayer"],
 
+    /** @type String */
+    id: null,
+    
     /** @type OpenLayers.Events */
     events: null,
 
@@ -153,6 +156,9 @@ OpenLayers.Map.prototype = {
         //set the default options
         this.setOptions(options);
 
+        this.id = OpenLayers.Util.createUniqueID("OpenLayers.Map_");
+
+
         this.div = div = OpenLayers.Util.getElement(div);
 
         // the viewPortDiv is the outermost div we modify