diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
index 7238310c48..566bcbbc12 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Tile/Image.js
@@ -145,6 +145,9 @@ OpenLayers.Tile.Image = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Tile, {
     clear: function() {
         if(this.imgDiv) {
             this.imgDiv.style.display = "none";
+            if (OpenLayers.Tile.Image.useBlankTile) { 
+                this.imgDiv.src = OpenLayers.Util.getImagesLocation() + "blank.gif";
+            }    
         }
     },
 
@@ -266,3 +269,7 @@ OpenLayers.Tile.Image = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Tile, {
     CLASS_NAME: "OpenLayers.Tile.Image"
   }
 );
+
+OpenLayers.Tile.Image.useBlankTile = ( 
+    OpenLayers.Util.getBrowserName() == "safari" || 
+    OpenLayers.Util.getBrowserName() == "opera");