diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js
index 1a43dc7eee..2ff1b19ac9 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/WFS.js
@@ -131,7 +131,9 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.WFS.prototype =
         var newArguments = [upperParams];
         OpenLayers.Layer.Grid.prototype.mergeNewParams.apply(this, newArguments);
 
-        this._initTiles();
+        if (this.grid != null) {
+            this._initTiles();
+        }
     },
 
     /** combine the layer's url with its params and these newParams.