diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/BaseTypes/Bounds.js b/lib/OpenLayers/BaseTypes/Bounds.js
index e416bdc5cf..b6717ae517 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/BaseTypes/Bounds.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/BaseTypes/Bounds.js
@@ -302,9 +302,9 @@ OpenLayers.Bounds = OpenLayers.Class({
      * object - {Object} Can be LonLat, Point, or Bounds
      */
     extend:function(object) {
+        var bounds = null;
         if (object) {
             // clear cached center location
-            this.centerLonLat = null;
             switch(object.CLASS_NAME) {
                 case "OpenLayers.LonLat":    
                     bounds = new OpenLayers.Bounds(object.lon, object.lat,
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ OpenLayers.Bounds = OpenLayers.Class({
             }
     
             if (bounds) {
-                var bounds = null;
+                this.centerLonLat = null;
                 if ( (this.left == null) || (bounds.left < this.left)) {
                     this.left = bounds.left;
                 }