diff --git a/lib/torque/renderer/cartocss_render.js b/lib/torque/renderer/cartocss_render.js
index b8528ae..1e580d2 100644
--- a/lib/torque/renderer/cartocss_render.js
+++ b/lib/torque/renderer/cartocss_render.js
@@ -72,7 +72,9 @@
   }
 
   function renderSprite(ctx, st) {
-    var img = st['point-file'] || st['marker-file'];
+    var img_name = st['point-file'] || st['marker-file'];
+    var img = new Image();
+    img.src = img_name;
     var ratio = img.height/img.width;
     var w = st['marker-width'] || img.width;
     var h = st['marker-width'] || st['marker-height'] || w*ratio;