diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
index 8d8d3a861e..021a6553b5 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
@@ -64,7 +64,9 @@ OpenLayers.Tile.Image.prototype =
      */
     clear: function() {
         OpenLayers.Tile.prototype.clear.apply(this, arguments);
-        this.imgDiv.style.display = "none";
+        if(this.imgDiv) {
+            this.imgDiv.style.display = "none";
+        }
     },
 
     /**