diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Projection.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Projection.js
index 3209b361ef..e12d108dd1 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Projection.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Projection.js
@@ -89,7 +89,11 @@ OpenLayers.Projection = OpenLayers.Class({
      * {Boolean} The two projections are equivalent.
      */
     equals: function(projection) {
-        return this.getCode() == projection.getCode();
+        if (projection && projection.getCode) {
+            return this.getCode() == projection.getCode();
+        } else {
+            return false;
+        }    
     },
 
     /* Method: destroy
diff --git a/tests/test_Projection.html b/tests/test_Projection.html
index c37aafa56c..a98dd57516 100644
--- a/tests/test_Projection.html
+++ b/tests/test_Projection.html
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@
          out = OpenLayers.Projection.transform({'x':10,'y':12}, projection, projection2); 
          t.eq(out.x, 10, "Null transform has no effect"); 
          t.eq(out.y, 12, "Null transform has no effect"); 
+
+         t.eq(projection.equals(null), false, "equals on null projection returns false");
+         t.eq(projection.equals({}), false, "equals on null projection object returns false (doesn't call getCode)");
      } 
        
     </script>