diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js
index 996da3b0fa..5cc1ad46b2 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/VML.js
@@ -34,11 +34,13 @@ OpenLayers.Renderer.VML = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Renderer.Elements, {
     initialize: function(containerID) {
         if (!this.supported()) { 
             return; 
-        } 
-        document.namespaces.add("v", this.xmlns);
-        var style = document.createStyleSheet();
-        style.addRule('v\\:*', "behavior: url(#default#VML); " +
-                               "position: relative; display: inline-block;");
+        }
+        if (!document.namespaces.v) {
+            document.namespaces.add("v", this.xmlns);
+            var style = document.createStyleSheet();
+            style.addRule('v\\:*', "behavior: url(#default#VML); " +
+                                   "position: relative; display: inline-block;");
+        }
         OpenLayers.Renderer.Elements.prototype.initialize.apply(this, 
                                                                 arguments);
     },