diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
index 76483876e9..54c97f0d13 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer.js
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ OpenLayers.Layer = OpenLayers.Class({
      * {Object} This object can be used to store additional information on a
      *     layer object.
      */
-    metadata: {},
+    metadata: null,
     
     /**
      * Constructor: OpenLayers.Layer
@@ -340,6 +340,8 @@ OpenLayers.Layer = OpenLayers.Class({
      */
     initialize: function(name, options) {
 
+        this.metadata = {};
+        
         this.addOptions(options);
 
         this.name = name;