diff --git a/src/layer/ImageOverlay.js b/src/layer/ImageOverlay.js
index b1bc10ba..e8903787 100644
--- a/src/layer/ImageOverlay.js
+++ b/src/layer/ImageOverlay.js
@@ -179,9 +179,12 @@ export var ImageOverlay = Layer.extend({
 	},
 
 	_initImage: function () {
-		var img = this._image = DomUtil.create('img',
-			'leaflet-image-layer ' + (this._zoomAnimated ? 'leaflet-zoom-animated ' : '') +
-			 (this.options.className || ''));
+		var wasElementSupplied = this._url.tagName === 'IMG';
+		var img = this._image = wasElementSupplied ? this._url : DomUtil.create('img');
+
+		DomUtil.addClass(img, 'leaflet-image-layer');
+		if (this._zoomAnimated) { DomUtil.addClass(img, 'leaflet-zoom-animated'); }
+		if (this.options.className) { DomUtil.addClass(img, this.options.className); }
 
 		img.onselectstart = Util.falseFn;
 		img.onmousemove = Util.falseFn;
@@ -199,6 +202,8 @@ export var ImageOverlay = Layer.extend({
 			this._updateZIndex();
 		}
 
+		if (wasElementSupplied) { return; }
+
 		img.src = this._url;
 		img.alt = this.options.alt;
 	},